Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch today chaired a hearing of the Energy Subcommittee on S. 3018, the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, during which the subcommittee heard from witnesses about how to guard the grid against energy disruptions and cyber vulnerabilities.

 The Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, coauthored by Senator Angus King (I-Maine), establishes a pilot program to examine and identify security vulnerabilities that could allow cyber-criminals to access the grid.

 In his opening remarks, Senator Risch highlighted the Idaho National Lab’s leadership in securing our nation’s critical infrastructure.

 “This legislation ensures that we take the necessary steps to defend ourselves against potentially catastrophic threats by establishing a coordinated effort to help protect essential infrastructures” said Risch “I’m proud that solutions to many of these infrastructure and security challenges are being developed in my home state at the Idaho National Lab. For those of you have not had the opportunity to visit the Idaho National Lab, it is a world leader in critical infrastructure and control systems research. Leading the reinvention of infrastructure security, the Lab is developing techniques that can account for both physical and cyber threats. I have no doubt that INL’s efforts will help ensure that our nation achieves an advantage in critical infrastructure and control systems security.”

 The panel of witnesses included Mr. Brent Stacey, Associate Lab Director from the Idaho National Lab.

 Video of Senator Risch’s opening statement and Mr. Stacey’s testimony are both available on the Senator’s YouTube page.  

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