Key Takeaways
- •The subcommittee adopted five bipartisan bills to enhance the physical and cybersecurity of the nation's electric grid and energy infrastructure, forwarding them to the full committee for further action.
- •Dr. Nathaniel Melby and Ms. Adrienne Lotto supported H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, emphasizing the need for high-level, accountable leadership for energy security at DOE.
- •Rep. Pallone (D-NJ-6) offered to yield to Rep. Weber (R-TX-14) during discussion of H.R. 7272, which Rep. Weber accepted with a simple "thank you."
- •Democrats, including Rep. Castor (D-FL-14) and Rep. Pallone (D-NJ-6), criticized the Trump administration for canceling clean energy projects and delaying infrastructure funding.
- •All five bills, focused on strengthening energy infrastructure security and DOE's emergency functions, were adopted by the subcommittee and will now advance to the full committee.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
On February 4, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy held a markup session to consider five bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening the physical and cybersecurity of the United States electric grid and broader energy infrastructure. Chairman Robert Latta (R-OH-5) opened the session by emphasizing the increasing threats from adversarial nations, specifically highlighting the "prepositioned attack capabilities" of Chinese-backed hacker groups like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon. The subcommittee sought to enhance the Department of Energy’s (DOE) authority and improve coordination between federal, state, and private sector partners.
Policy Proposals
The first bill considered was H.R. 7305, the Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026, led by Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO-8) and Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL-14). This legislation formally authorizes the Energy Threat Analysis Center (ETAC), a program originally established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Rep. Evans, drawing on his background as a police officer and Army veteran, described ETAC as a "fusion center" for the energy sector, facilitating two-way information sharing between grid operators and the intelligence community. The bill specifically supports the National Lab of the Rockies in Colorado, which hosts ETAC and conducts real-world threat assessments.
The subcommittee then moved to H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, sponsored by Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL-15). This bill proposes elevating the DOE’s energy emergency and cybersecurity functions by requiring they be led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary. Rep. Lee argued that this change would ensure focused, accountable leadership to protect against fuel and electricity supply disruptions. She cited support from the American Public Power Association (APPA) and the Dairyland Power Cooperative, noting that the current threat landscape—ranging from AI-driven demand to physical sabotage—requires high-level federal attention.
H.R. 7266, the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act, was introduced by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1) and Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-4). The bill authorizes $250 million over five years for the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program (RMUC). Rep. Miller-Meeks emphasized that rural cooperatives often face the same sophisticated threats as large metropolitan utilities but lack the resources to defend against them. During the discussion, Rep. McClellan noted that while the bill is bipartisan, the administration had previously faced criticism for delays in dispersing RMUC funds. A technical amendment offered by Rep. Miller-Meeks to shift the reauthorization period to begin in 2027 was adopted by voice vote.
The fourth bill, H.R. 7257, the Secure Grid Act, was co-sponsored by Chairman Latta and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA-7). This legislation updates the state energy security planning process established in 2021. It requires states to take a more holistic approach to grid resilience, specifically incorporating local distribution systems and grid component manufacturers into their security plans. Rep. Matsui highlighted the importance of these plans for states like California, where grid reliability is essential for mitigating wildfire risks and managing extreme weather events.
Overview
Finally, the subcommittee considered H.R. 7272, the Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, led by Vice Chairman Randy Weber (R-TX-14). This bill codifies the DOE’s role in securing pipelines and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities. Rep. Weber and Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2) both emphasized that the bill is strictly non-regulatory and does not infringe upon the authorities of other agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6) supported the bill, citing the 2021 Colonial Pipeline hack as a primary reason for enhancing DOE’s coordination capabilities, though he urged the committee to also address broader pipeline safety reauthorizations.
Throughout the markup, partisan dynamics were characterized by a split between broad agreement on security measures and sharp disagreement on broader energy policy. Ranking Member Castor and Rep. Pallone used their opening statements to criticize the majority for not addressing rising utility costs and for opposing clean energy initiatives. Rep. Castor argued that the U.S. is "losing the 21st-century energy race" to China in solar and wind manufacturing. Democrats also criticized the administration—specifically mentioning Secretary Wright—for allegedly canceling $2 billion in power investments. Conversely, Republicans focused on the "all-of-the-above" energy strategy and the need to protect existing infrastructure from foreign adversaries.
The markup concluded with all five bills being adopted by voice vote and forwarded to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for further consideration. No specific deadlines for future hearings were set, but Chairman Latta noted the success of a previous hearing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as a foundation for the subcommittee's ongoing work. Organizations mentioned as key stakeholders included the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the American Public Power Association (APPA), and various national laboratories. The primary industry impact will be felt by rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, pipeline operators, and LNG facility managers, who will see increased federal technical assistance and revised security planning requirements.
Transcript
The subcommittee will come to order. The chair recognizes himself for an opening statement. Today, the Energy Subcommittee will markup five bills that will update and enhance programs to help ensure the physical and cybersecurity of our nation's electric grid. These bills, two of which we have moved through the committee in past Congresses with strong bipartisan support, also strengthen the Department of Energy's ability to carry out its energy emergency functions. At our legislative hearing three weeks ago, witnesses emphasized the importance of robust collaboration between industry, states, and the federal government to ensure secure energy systems. These bills will strengthen this work by enhancing DOE's existing energy sector authorities and by providing new tools to ensure fuller industry involvement. We consider these bills today against the backdrop of growing threats to our energy systems, including advanced threats from our adversaries. As noted in recent hearings, Communist China remains the most active and persistent threat to American critical infrastructure networks. Its proxies have prepositioned attack capabilities in American infrastructure to be used during a major crisis or conflict. Addressing these and related threats is difficult and can be resource-intensive. The interconnected nature of our energy systems requires constant intelligence sharing, clear visibility into threat landscapes, and sufficient resources to fill gaps in security protections, particularly for rural and small utility service territories. The bills we consider today take important steps to accomplish this and more. H.R. 7305, the Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026, led by the gentlelady from Florida's 14th Congressional District and the gentleman from Colorado's 8th Congressional District, authorizes a program that improves information sharing and coordination on threats analysis that impact the power sector. A key ingredient of this program involves two-way sharing of information between grid operators and the intelligence community to their mutual benefit, improving the ability to assess risks and threats and then how to act upon that information. H.R. 7258, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, led by the gentlelady from Florida's 15th Congressional District and the gentleman from Ohio's 1st Congressional District, represents long-time bipartisan policy of this committee to strengthen the ability of DOE to carry out its energy sector security and emergency functions. The bill requires the energy emergency and security functions of DOE are led by an assistant secretary confirmed by the Senate. This will ensure the department has the focused and accountable leadership that will strengthen intergovernmental and energy sector collaboration. H.R. 7266, the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act, led by the gentlelady from Iowa's 1st Congressional District and the gentlelady from Virginia's 4th Congressional District, provides targeted funding and technical assistance so small utilities, electric cooperatives, and public power agencies have the resources to secure their critical electric systems, including systems serving military installations. Of course, we heard during our legislative hearing, states are critical to energy security. They have unique visibility into the interconnected relationships, risks, and vulnerabilities related to the energy systems within their own borders. H.R. 7257, the Secure Grid Act, which I sponsored with my colleague and friend from California's 7th Congressional District, builds upon the existing state energy security plan framework to expand the visibility of potential threats to local electric distribution and supply chain networks. Finally, as the sector risk management agency for the energy sector, DOE must have visibility over the whole energy sector, which as we heard in the legislative hearing, is comprised of increasingly interconnected systems. Because of this, DOE actively works not only with the power sector but also the oil and gas sector to prepare and respond appropriately to emergencies. DOE's technical capabilities and central role in the federal energy coordination make it well-positioned to improve the complex layers of communication necessary for energy sector security. H.R. 7272, the Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, led by the subcommittee's vice chairman from Texas' 14th District and the gentlelady from Michigan's 6th Congressional District, does just this. It builds on DOE's leadership to establish a non-regulatory program to improve the coordination and other assistance across the energy sector, states, and the federal government with regard to the security and resilience of pipelines and other facilities that deliver the nation's oil and gas and are necessary for reliable energy power. All told, these bills advance the important and bipartisan work of the subcommittee to protect critical energy infrastructure. And with that, I yield back and now recognize the gentlelady from Florida's 14th District, the ranking member of the subcommittee, for five minutes for an opening statement.
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