Cantwell Says DOE Should Be a 'Lead Agency' on Cybersecurity, Eyes Trump Exec Order

Cybersecurity emerged as a topic during Tuesday’s infrastructure hearing by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said the issue keeps her up at night and cited widespread hacking concerns. “I am calling on the Trump administration to protect the public from growing cyberthreats that Russia and other foreign actors pose against our energy assets,” she said in her opening statement. “I am sending a letter to the president to make sure that we clarify the Department of Energy’s role as a lead agency in our nation’s cybersecurity matters, both on the defense side and on the response side to respond to potential hacking of our critical energy infrastructure. That is very important because we’ve heard rumors of an executive order further designating the Department of Homeland Security as the lead on this matter. I equate this to seeking medical attention and seeing a doctor, but in reality you need a dentist, because what you have is an oral problem.” Cantwell, who also is on the Commerce Committee, noted that during questioning of witnesses and backed “a more aggressive role” for the DOE on cybersecurity. The “right experts” are needed, she said, arguing the digitization of the grid makes the U.S. more vulnerable to attacks. Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is eyeing the permitting process at the federal, state and local levels. “I certainly hope that package” put forth by the Trump administration on infrastructure “will include provisions that streamline the permitting process for all energy infrastructure projects,” said Murkowski in her opening statement. That administration infrastructure package may include broadband funding. Several committees have begun hearings with an eye toward this pending proposal.