summary
Introduced
05/12/2015
05/12/2015
In Committee
05/15/2015
05/15/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Critical Electric Infrastructure Protection Act Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Department of Energy (DOE), with or without notice, hearing, or report, to issue orders for emergency measures to protect the reliability of either the bulk-power system or the defense critical electric infrastructure whenever the President issues a written directive or determination identifying an imminent grid security emergency. Requires the President to notify specified congressional committees promptly whenever the President issues such a directive. Instructs DOE, before issuing an order for such emergency measures, to the extent practicable in light of the nature of the grid security emergency and the urgency of the need for action, to consult with governmental authorities in Canada and Mexico, regarding implementation of the emergency measures. Prescribes: (1) implementation procedures (including expiration and reissuance of emergency orders); and (2) related cost recovery measures affecting owners, operators, or users of the bulk-power system. Requires DOE, to the extent practicable and consistent with obligations to protect classified information, to provide temporary access to classified information relating to a grid security emergency to key personnel of relevant entities in order to optimize communications between them and federal agencies. Requires DOE to identify facilities in the U.S. and its territories that are: (1) critical to the defense of the United States, and (2) vulnerable to a disruption of the supply of electric energy provided by an external provider. Exempts critical electric infrastructure information from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to: (1) designate critical electric infrastructure information, and (2) prescribe regulations and orders prohibiting its unauthorized disclosure but also authorizing appropriate voluntary sharing with federal, state, local, and tribal authorities. Shields a person or entity in possession of critical electric infrastructure information from any cause of action for sharing or receiving information that was done in accordance with this Act.
AI Summary
This bill, the Critical Electric Infrastructure Protection Act, empowers the Department of Energy (DOE) to take immediate action to protect the nation's electricity grid during a declared grid security emergency, which is defined as an imminent danger to the bulk-power system or defense critical electric infrastructure from malicious acts, electromagnetic pulses, geomagnetic storms, or direct physical attacks. The President must issue a written directive to the DOE to initiate these emergency measures, and Congress will be promptly notified. Before implementing these measures, the DOE is required, to the extent practical, to consult with Canadian and Mexican authorities. The bill outlines procedures for issuing, expiring, and reissuing emergency orders, and establishes mechanisms for owners, operators, or users of the bulk-power system to recover costs incurred due to these measures, with costs for defense critical electric infrastructure to be borne by the facilities relying on it. The DOE will also provide temporary access to classified information related to grid security emergencies to key personnel of affected entities to improve communication. Furthermore, the bill directs the DOE to identify U.S. facilities critical to national defense that are vulnerable to electricity supply disruptions and exempts "critical electric infrastructure information" from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, while also tasking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with designating such information, prohibiting its unauthorized disclosure, and authorizing its voluntary sharing with relevant government bodies and industry partners. Finally, individuals or entities sharing or receiving critical electric infrastructure information in accordance with the Act are shielded from legal liability.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power. (on 05/15/2015)
Official Document
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