Republican News

Murkowski calls for secure electricity grid

May 7, 2009
05:14 PM
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 CONTACT: ROBERT DILLON (202) 224-6977
May 7, 2009                                                               or ANNE JOHNSON (202) 224-7875                                   
MURKOWSKI CALLS FOR SECURE ELECTRICITY GRID
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today called for granting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Secretary of Energy emergency authority to protect the electrical grid from cyber security threats.
 
“The danger posed to our nation’s electric infrastructure from a possible cyber attack is very clear,” Murkowski said. “Congress must provide government agencies with the authority to respond to cyber security threats and vulnerabilities in a timely manner.”
 
In a 2007 experiment by the Department of Energy and the Idaho National Laboratory researchers hacked into a replica power plant’s control systems, causing the generator to self-destruct.  The exercise demonstrated the vulnerability of the nation’s electrical grid to large, coordinated attacks.
 
Murkowski, the ranking Republican on the energy panel, noted that since that test a growing number of cyber intrusions on government and critical infrastructure networks have been identified.
 
As an example of the potential danger posed by cyber attacks, Murkowski pointed to a recent study by the Department of Transportation disclosing that a cyber attack on the Federal Aviation Administration had partially shut down air-traffic data systems in Alaska. 
 
Murkowski and Chairman Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., are circulating draft language that would allow FERC to address cyber security vulnerabilities, and the Department of Energy to take action to mitigate cyber threats without prior notice if they determine immediate action is necessary. 
 
Any emergency rule or order issued by FERC or DOE would sunset within 90 days to ensure public comment and input before any such rule is made permanent.
 
####
 
For further information, please contact Robert Dillon at 202.224.6977 or Robert_dillon@energy.senate.gov or Anne Johnson at 202.224.7875 or anne_johnson@energy.senate.gov.