WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today released the following statement in response to the leak of internal Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) information on potential vulnerabilities of the nation’s electric grid:

“I have grave concerns about the dangerous and irresponsible release of information apparently based upon a single analysis of potential vulnerabilities of our nation’s critical energy infrastructure. The information could provide a road map to those who wish to harm the United States. Although today’s story in The Wall Street Journal does not name specific substations, it provides both numbers and geographic regions in stunning detail.

“There are many good people working faithfully to‎ maintain and protect the grid, but this type of irresponsible leak sensationalizing a single study seriously undermines their efforts.

“Whoever is the source of this leak – and it appears to be someone with a great deal of access to highly sensitive, narrowly distributed FERC documents – is clearly putting our nation at risk. If his or her actions are not illegal, they should be.”

Murkowski the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released a report in February on the importance of the nation’s electric grid and the critical issue of protecting electric reliability.  

FERC Chairwoman Cheryl LaFleur’s statement on today’s Wall Street Journal article is available on the FERC website.

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