Last month Rep Latta (R,OH) introduced HR 7257, the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient (SECURE) Grid Act. The bill would amend 42 USC 6326 to require States to include local distribution systems in their State Energy Security Plans described in that section. No new funding is authorized by this legislation.
The bill is similar to HR 9083 that was introduced by Latta in July 2024. No action was taken on that bill in the 118th Congress. While similar in intent, HR 7257 is a substantial rewrite. Some of the changes of interest include:
Modifying the proposed definition of the term ‘local distribution systems’ by increasing the maximum voltage from 35 kilovolts to 100 kilovolts,
Removing the proposed language being added to (b)(2)(B) referencing “energy supply disruptions resulting from increased demand on the electric grid, deteriorating assets [emphasis added], and physical and cybersecurity threats”, and
Removing from the proposed language revision in (b)(3) reference to “risks and liabilities posed by human error or mismanagement”.
Definitions
Paragraph 2(1) would add a new definition to those currently found in §6326(a); ‘local distribution system’.
Distribution Systems
In paragraph §2(2)(B) would amend §6326(b)(2) to read:
“(2) proposes methods to strengthen the ability of the State, in consultation with owners and operators of, and suppliers of equipment for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity to, energy infrastructure in the State-”
In paragraph §2(3)(A) would replace the current §6326(c)(3) with:
“(3) address potential hazards to each energy sector or system, including—
“(A) physical threats and vulnerabilities, including—
“(i) weather-related threats and vulnerabilities;
“(ii) physical attacks on local distribution systems and the bulk-power system; and
“(iii) supply chain risks for equipment for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and
“(B) cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, including threats to, and vulnerabilities of, local distribution systems that may impact the bulk-power system;”; and
Moving Forward
Latta and his two cosponsors are members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there could be sufficient influence to see this bill considered in Committee. I see nothing in this bill that would engender any organized opposition. I suspect that there will be some level of bipartisan support for this bill in Committee. Whether that support would be sufficient to see the bill considered in the Full House under the suspension of the rules remains to be seen.