Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) led subcommittee members in a field hearing last week in Moore County, North Carolina, on enhancing America’s grid security and protecting the grid from vulnerabilities, including cyberattacks.
Before the hearing, E&C Republicans toured the Duke Energy power substation that was attacked in December-leaving 45,000 homes and businesses without power for five days. America's electrical grid keeps our hospitals, military bases, homes, and businesses powered. We MUST make sure the grid is secure to keep people safe and our economy moving.
The North State Journal :
Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce came to Moore County for a Congressional field hearing about securing the nation’s energy grid on Friday, June 16.
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Rep. Richard Hudson, a member of the committee and resident of Southern Pines, called the field hearing essential and the start of a conversation.
“This is a day we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Testimony we hear today will set up a national discussion on grid vulnerability," Hudson said in his opening statement.
WNCN :
Congressional leaders listened to testimony from a Duke Energy leader about the December power grid attack in Moore County. The attack crippled the electric grid for days and impacted 45,000 customers in the county.
“This is a challenging thing for our whole industry," Jeff Brooks, spokesperson for Duke Energy said.
Brooks said the power company is making changes as grid attackers become more sophisticated.
“Ways we can get essential equipment closer to the areas that we need it, to use mobile technology where we can. Plus, any deterrent measures we can in place," Brooks said.
Republican Congressman Richard Hudson lives in Moore County and was part of the hearing. He said adding cameras and walls to substations and bringing grids back online faster are just some solutions.
“But that’s not enough," Hudson said.
Fox News’ Special Report with Brett Baier :
“Tonight, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for answers after a major cyber intrusion on several government agencies.
“Tonight, Democrats and Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are calling on the Biden administration to brief them on the major cyberattack that hit multiple federal agencies including the Department of Energy, saying saving people's lives and livelihoods are counting on the committee's work to protect critical infrastructure."
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“The attack happened as the committee headed to North Carolina for a field hearing on securing the nation's power grid. Last December, someone shot up to power substations in Moore County, knocking out power to 45,000 people for days. According to the Energy Department, attacks on the power grid were up 77% nationwide from 2021 to 2022. Lawmakers say private utility companies need to do more to prevent attacks."
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“Lawmakers are also deeply concerned about the supply chain right now. It could take up to two years to get a replacement transformer."
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“Republican Congressman Richard Hudson introduced a bill this week that would prohibit the energy secretary from changing energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers for the next five years."
Highlights from Energy and Commerce Committee Members:
Subcommittee Chair Duncan :
“There have been several grid security incidents that have occurred recently that we are examining as part of our oversight responsibilities.
“Within the last year, we have seen electrical transmission substations attacked in Tacoma, WA and here in Moore County. Both of these attacks resulted in blackouts that affected tens of thousands of people for multiple days.
“Prior to these incidents, we saw one of the nation’s most critical pipelines, the Colonial Pipeline, suffer a cyberattack that created fuel shortages and price spikes that lasted weeks."
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“We are also gathering the perspectives of the electric industry and state partners, to learn how we can harden our grid, improve situational awareness, and support response efforts.
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“I look forward to learning more about the substation attack that occurred here in Moore County so I can share lessons learned with the electric utilities and state officials in my home state of South Carolina and with my colleagues back in Washington, D.C."
Rep. Hudson:
“Earlier this morning, we toured the Duke Energy West End substation, one of two substations in Moore County that was intentionally attacked on the evening of December 3rd, leaving my house and 45,000 of my neighbors without power for up to ten days.
“In the aftermath of the attack, our hospital was impacted, threatening medical treatments, schools were shutdown, businesses were affected, stoplights were dark, gas stations were closed, cell signal was impacted, and water couldn’t be heated.
“Our region suffered millions of dollars in damage-and just before the Christmas holiday."
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“Since this attack occurred, I have been in listening mode. I have heard from constituents, grid operators, community developers, and business owners who have concerns with our grid’s security and resilience-all against the backdrop of historic energy costs. I share these concerns.
“That’s why, as I promised in the days following the attack, I have brought Washington to North Carolina today.
“I want to show my colleagues not just the numbers and facts of grid security and resilience, but the people personally affected and their experiences."
Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) :
“By forcing states to adopt strict and specific spending targets... the funding is not as effective as it can be. One thing that we worry about is that one size fits coming out of Washington. What you do here in North Carolina might not work in Ohio."
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“We need to hear from people in the states as they make these things work."
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“My concern is - if we have a coordinated, massive attack, do we have the supply chain out there... because we have a vulnerability out there."
Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN):
“In recent years, we’ve all been confronted with just how vulnerable the grid is. Physical, cybersecurity threats, weather events, and a laze of maintenance all contribute to the uncertainty for providers and rate payers."
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“It’s critically important that private companies work with governmental agencies, including law enforcement."
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“We’re going to have to reassess critical infrastructure... and make sure there is good coordination to prevent these attacks that could affect not only a large portion of the American people, but our national security."
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL):
“Depending on the time of year, when you knock out a system for a couple weeks, or longer, it’s not just about loss of business opportunities, it’s talking about loss of life."
ICYMI: House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone requested briefings from the Biden administration last week following a major global cyberattack that affected several federal agencies, including the Department of Energy.