Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today released the following statement on the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General’s (IG) report on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) actions to release sensitive information concerning the security of the U.S. electric grid.

“The findings in the inspector general’s report are deeply troubling. Not only did the report find inconsistencies between the testimony of former FERC Chairman Wellinghoff and commission officials, but it found that during Wellinghoff’s tenure there was a ‘culture of reluctance to classify certain nonpublic documents,’” Murkowski said. “The security of our nation’s electric grid is a serious concern and the release of public documents detailing security issues is alarming.”

In the report, the IG pointed to specific instances of breakdowns in FERC’s internal processes – including the absence of any emails in then-Chairman Wellinghoff’s email account during the relevant timeframe - that would have assisted the IG’s office in its investigation.

“I also have questions about why Mr. Wellinghoff disseminated information about purported physical security vulnerabilities of our nation’s power grid that FERC’s own staff later discredited. Additionally, it is concerning that Mr. Wellinghoff’s email during the relevant period apparently went missing,” Murkowski said. “Oversight of FERC is an important duty of this committee. As chairman, I will fully review the inspector general’s recommendations, including potential legislative proposals to improve FERC’s handling of sensitive information.”

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