Walberg Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity for America’s Energy Infrastructure

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) this week introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at securing America's energy infrastructure and improving our nation's cyber defense capabilities. The legislation comes in wake of the cybersecurity attack on the Colonial Pipeline which forced it to be taken offline.

"The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack underscores how crucial it is to protect our energy infrastructure from hostile actors," said Walberg. "Consumers are already dealing with the implications of a diminished fuel supply, and we cannot ignore the long-term vulnerability these types of cyberattacks pose to America's economic and national security. I am pleased to work with Chairman Rush on this bipartisan legislation to ensure the Department of Energy is equipped to help mitigate these real and growing threats."

H.R. 3119, Energy Emergency Leadership Act, would help elevate energy emergency and cybersecurity responsibilities as a core function for the Department of Energy. Specifically, the legislation would amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to require the Secretary of the Department of Energy to assign energy emergency and energy security functions to an Assistant Secretary, including responsibilities with respect to infrastructure and cybersecurity. Walberg and Rush introduced the Energy Emergency Leadership Act in the last Congress and successfully passed it through the House of Representatives.