Tech Bills of the Week: Measures seek to boost cyber posture of utilities

"The bill, led by Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, would direct the Energy Department to stand up a program aimed at strengthening the physical security and cybersecurity of U.S. pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities. Energy would be responsible for improving information sharing and coordination across the sector to bolster the resilience and survivability of natural gas and hazardous liquid infrastructure."

"Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, rolled out legislation that would rename and expand an existing program under the 2021 infrastructure law to create the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, aimed at bolstering cyber defenses at smaller electric utilities. It would authorize Energy to provide grants, technical assistance, cooperative agreements and prizes to rural electric cooperatives, municipal and other publicly owned utilities,"

"The proposal would prioritize funding for utilities with limited cybersecurity resources or those that operate infrastructure critical to the bulk power system or national defense. It would also encourage greater participation in threat-information sharing programs and protect sensitive cybersecurity information shared through the program from public disclosure laws. The bill would authorize $250 million in funding over fiscal years 2026 through 2030."

The Energy Department would establish a program to strengthen physical security and cybersecurity of U.S. pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities, improve information sharing, and coordinate across the sector to bolster resilience of natural gas and hazardous liquid infrastructure. Energy would lead federal, state and industry response and recovery after physical or cyber incidents. The measure would develop voluntary cybersecurity tools, pilot security demonstration projects, and workforce training curricula. A separate bill would rename and expand a 2021 program to create the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, authorizing grants, technical assistance and $250 million for smaller utilities through 2030.

Read at Nextgov.com