H.R. 7257 — Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid (SECURE Grid) Act, as amended
Executive Summary
H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act, amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to mandate that State energy security plans address physical security, cybersecurity, and supply chain risks specifically for local distribution systems (100 kV or less). Introduced with bipartisan support, the bill responds to escalating threats to the power grid, including extreme weather, cyberattacks, and physical sabotage. Crucially for state-level stakeholders, the legislation explicitly removes the requirement for the Secretary of Energy to approve these state plans, preserving state autonomy while standardizing the inclusion of local distribution networks in resilience planning.
Arguments For
- Grid Resilience: Directly addresses critical vulnerabilities in the lower-voltage distribution grid, which is increasingly targeted by physical sabotage and cyberattacks.
- State Autonomy: By removing the DOE Secretary's approval authority over state plans, the bill prevents federal micromanagement and appeals to federalist principles.
- Supply Chain Security: Forces states to proactively assess equipment supply chain risks, mitigating the impact of global shortages on local power restoration.
Likely Supporters
Arguments Against
- Unfunded Mandate Concerns: Imposes new, complex planning requirements on state energy offices and local utilities without explicitly attaching new, dedicated funding streams.
- Lack of Federal Enforcement: Critics may argue that removing the DOE's approval authority weakens federal oversight, potentially leading to inconsistent or substandard security plans across different states.
Likely Opponents
📋 Key Provisions
- Defines 'local distribution system' as energy infrastructure owned and operated by an electric utility at a voltage of 100 kilovolts or less.
- Requires State energy security plans to address physical threats (weather, physical attacks), cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and supply chain risks for both local distribution and bulk-power systems.
- Stipulates that State energy security plan submissions do not require approval by the Secretary of Energy.
- Mandates a GAO report by September 30, 2030, to evaluate the efficacy of State energy security plans and the use of federal financial assistance.
- Establishes a sunset date for the section of September 30, 2031.
search
Verification Guide
BETA
expand_more
Don't trust AI? Don't worry, neither do I. Verify the claims yourself.
Defines local distribution systems as operating at 100 kilovolts or less.
"a voltage of 100 kilovolts"
Explicitly states that the Secretary of Energy does not need to approve the state plans.
"not required to be approved"
Requires a GAO report on the efficacy of the plans by September 30, 2030.
"Not later than September 30, 2030"