Electric grid cybersecurity bill would empower FERC

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A bill that is set to be introduced in Congress on Thursday would give power to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue emergency orders in the case of an imminent cybersecurity threat to the electrical grid.

The two chairmen of the House and Senate committees on homeland security, representative Bennie G. Thompson and senator Joseph Lieberman will hold a press conference Thursday to discuss the so-called Critical Electric Infrastructure Protection Act.

The act provides authority to FERC to issue emergency rules or orders if a cyber threat is imminent after a finding by the Secretary of Homeland Security that a national security threat exists, according to a statement from the two chairmen.

"We must ensure that the proper protections, resources and regulatory authorities are in place to address any threat aimed at our power system," said Thompson.

If the bill becomes law, FERC would have the authority to assess and establish interim standards deemed necessary to protect against known cyberthreats to critical electric infrastructure.

The act also requires an investigation by the homeland security department to determine if the network security of the grid has been breached.

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