The publication is reproduced in full below:
ENHANCING STATE ENERGY SECURITY PLANNING AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT
OF 2021
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1374) to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide Federal financial assistance to States to implement, review, and revise State energy security plans, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1374
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. STATE ENERGY SECURITY PLANS.
(a) In General.--Part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 367. STATE ENERGY SECURITY PLANS.
``(a) In General.--Federal financial assistance made available to a State under this part may be used for the implementation, review, and revision of a State energy security plan that assesses the State's existing circumstances and proposes methods to strengthen the ability of the State, in consultation with owners and operators of energy infrastructure in such State, to--
``(1) secure the energy infrastructure of the State against all physical and cybersecurity threats;
``(2) mitigate the risk of energy supply disruptions to the State and enhance the response to, and recovery from, energy disruptions; and
``(3) ensure the State has a reliable, secure, and resilient energy infrastructure.
``(b) Contents of Plan.--A State energy security plan described in subsection (a) shall--
``(1) address all fuels, including petroleum products, other liquid fuels, coal, electricity, and natural gas, as well as regulated and unregulated energy providers;
``(2) provide a State energy profile, including an assessment of energy production, distribution, and end-use;
``(3) address potential hazards to each energy sector or system, including physical threats and cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities;
``(4) provide a risk assessment of energy infrastructure and cross-sector interdependencies;
``(5) provide a risk mitigation approach to enhance reliability and end-use resilience; and
``(6) address multi-State, Indian Tribe, and regional coordination planning and response, and to the extent practicable, encourage mutual assistance in cyber and physical response plans.
``(c) Coordination.--In implementing a State energy security plan under this section, the energy office of the State shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate with--
``(1) the public utility or service commission of the State;
``(2) energy providers from the private sector; and
``(3) other entities responsible for maintaining fuel or electric reliability.
``(d) Financial Assistance.--A State is not eligible to receive Federal financial assistance under this part, for any purpose, for a fiscal year unless the Governor of such State submits to the Secretary, with respect to such fiscal year--
``(1) a State energy security plan described in subsection
(a) that meets the requirements of subsection (b); or
``(2) after an annual review of the State energy security plan by the Governor--
``(A) any necessary revisions to such plan; or
``(B) a certification that no revisions to such plan are necessary.
``(e) Technical Assistance.--Upon request of the Governor of a State, the Secretary may provide information and technical assistance, and other assistance, in the development, implementation, or revision of a State energy security plan.
``(f) Sunset.--This section shall expire on October 31, 2026.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 365(f) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6325(f)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``$125,000,000'' and inserting
``$90,000,000''; and
(2) by striking ``2007 through 2012'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Conforming amendments.--Section 363 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6323) is amended--
(A) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e); and
(B) by striking subsection (e).
(2) Technical amendment.--Section 366(3)(B)(i) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6326(3)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ``approved under section 367''.
(3) Reference.--The item relating to ``Department of Energy--Energy Conservation'' in title II of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1985
(42 U.S.C. 6323a) is amended by striking ``sections 361 through 366'' and inserting ``sections 361 through 367''.
(4) Table of sections.--The table of sections for part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 367. State energy security plans.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
general leave
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1374.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1374, the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2021.
This is a bipartisan bill introduced by my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee. I thank the bill's sponsors, Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush and Subcommittee Ranking Member Fred Upton for their work and leadership on this legislation.
This is an urgent and necessary bipartisan bill. In the wake of the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack and other recent cyber threats to our infrastructure, we are reminded of the consequences of physical and cyber attacks.
H.R. 1374 provides Federal guidance and resources to the States that are most vulnerable to critical energy infrastructure threats. The State Energy Program is a popular, bipartisan program designed to support State energy offices. Funding for the State Energy Program is used for several energy initiatives, including developing energy security plans to help prevent disasters from happening and to mitigate and recover from any damage that does occur.
This bill will help allocate additional resources to further develop and enhance State energy security plans. The funding provided in this bill will facilitate the implementation, review, and revision of State energy security plans while also laying out the criteria for the contents of those plans.
Mr. Speaker, recent events like the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack have highlighted the importance of investing in the physical and cyber security of our energy systems. This legislation passed our committee and the House with overwhelming support from both Republicans and Democrats in the last Congress. It also enjoys strong support from the nonpartisan National Association of State Energy Organizations.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 1374 is a bipartisan bill that has long-time support in the House. We passed it by voice vote on suspension in the 115th Congress and again in the 116th Congress. The legislation reauthorizes the State Energy Program and strengthens our energy emergency planning and preparedness efforts.
This is an important bill, and we are reminded why every year when we witness how States must respond to a variety of hazards, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, fuel supply disruptions, and physical and cyber threats.
We have had harmful hurricanes and will continue to do so. Consequently, there is an ongoing urgency for State energy planning and action.
The electricity crises in Texas and surrounding States this past winter provides a vivid example for State responses to energy emergencies; and, of course, the Colonial Pipeline incident last month had State energy officials working with Federal authorities to make sure people had fuel when they needed it.
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This legislation provides States with the flexibility they need to address local energy challenges.
It also ensures that State energy security planning efforts address fuel supply issues, assess State energy profiles, address potential hazards to each energy sector, mitigate risk to enhance reliability, and incorporate regional planning efforts.
H.R. 1374 also helps States protect fuel and electric infrastructure from physical and cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. It makes sure we are thinking ahead, not just about an actual threat, but how our energy and electric systems might be vulnerable in a broader sense.
The bill also encourages mutual assistance, an essential part of responding and restoring in the event of an energy emergency.
Prioritizing and elevating energy security planning and emergency preparedness is an important step in the face of increased threats, vulnerabilities, and interdependencies of energy infrastructure and end-use systems.
Protecting energy security requires defense in depth, which means a strong energy sector, strong State capabilities, and ensuring sector agencies like the Department of Energy have the tools they need to respond to energy emergencies. This ensures we can help people in energy emergencies, whether caused by weather or cyberattack, and help them when they need it most.
I urge support of H.R. 1374, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I would state in conclusion that I urge strong support for H.R. 1374, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge bipartisan support for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1374.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion are postponed.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 108
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