{time}  1610

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act, is a bipartisan bill
that renews and enhances a State's ability to consider cyber and
physical security protections to their energy systems, and it promotes
collaboration between partners as they develop State energy security
plans.
  These State plans are a part of DOE's State Energy Program, which
provides financial and technical assistance to help States with energy
planning. It was reauthorized and updated in the bipartisan
infrastructure law in 2021. As part of that reauthorization, plans must
include energy emergency planning to secure the United States against
physical and cyber threats.
  The State energy security plans are an important tool that ensures
States are prepared for the worst. The planning process brings together
stakeholders and enables a level of coordination across Federal and
State actors. This bill helps enhance the parts of those plans that
guard against physical and cyber threats by ensuring that they
encompass more of our energy system, local power lines, as well as
facilities critical to ensuring the supply chain of energy
infrastructure-related components.
  Finally, the bill also bolsters a State's ability to obtain
assistance from the Department of Energy, something I hope they will
take advantage of as they regularly update their energy security plans.
  This bill also ensures that the Government Accountability Office will
review how DOE and the States execute these programs, to ensure that
Congress has the best information possible the next time the provision
needs to be renewed.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Latta), chairman of the Energy Subcommittee.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky, the
chair of the full committee, for recognizing me today.
  I rise in support of H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act, which I
sponsored with the gentlewoman from California's Seventh Congressional
District.
  State energy security plans, or SESPs, provide States with an
opportunity to identify threats and vulnerabilities in their respective
energy networks. This collaborative process ensures that States can
stay on the cutting edge of an evolving threat landscape.
  While the initial exercise of SESPs has meaningfully assisted States
in managing their energy systems, there is room for improvement to
enhance visibility and threat detection and to holistically consider
disparate vulnerabilities across the sector.
  The SECURE Grid Act achieves this goal by ensuring States incorporate
security and resilience of distribution networks. Distribution networks
bring wholesale power directly to homes and businesses to keep the
lights on and keep our businesses up and running. Any threat to the
distribution system is a threat to our communities.
  Importantly, the legislation also brings industry experts to the
table during the development of SESPs to ensure State governments are
equipped with the resources and operational understanding of the
complex infrastructure.
  In addition, the bill affirms the important leadership role of State
governments to protect their energy systems while fostering
collaborative partnerships with Federal counterparts.
  Given the States' authority and understanding of their own unique
energy needs, it is imperative that they are empowered to develop their
own plans while working collaboratively with Federal partners.
  This legislation comes at a timely moment in our Nation's history.
Throughout the 119th Congress, the Energy Subcommittee of the House
Energy and Commerce Committee has held several hearings with experts
and administration officials to examine the state of our Nation's
energy systems.
  Each day, it becomes ever more apparent that our reliance on energy
is growing because of AI advancements, reshoring of manufacturing
facilities, and general economy-wide electrification.
  Families across the country can be burdened by high energy costs, and
we know that there is nothing more expensive than a blackout.
  We also know that adversarial nations and nefarious actors are
actively seeking out any vulnerability in our interconnected energy
infrastructure to sow chaos and cause harm to everyday Americans.
  To combat these efforts, the legislation requires proactive
information sharing, constant vigilance, and clear visibility into the
widening threat landscape. The SECURE Grid Act ensures that State
energy offices and their respective Governors are able to put processes
in place to detect, mitigate, and respond to potential attacks
targeting critical infrastructure.
  The everyday lives of families and businesses are wholly reliant on a
secure, reliable, and affordable energy system.
  Mr. Speaker, for the reasons stated, it is important that the House
pass H.R. 7257, the SECURE Grid Act.

  Again, I thank the gentlewoman from California's Seventh District for
her help on this legislation.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say briefly that I think
this is an important bill, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of
the aisle to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I agree that this is a very important bill. We have an
interconnected grid, and we have to make sure that all States are
ensuring that it is secure.
  I appreciate my friend from Ohio for bringing this before his
subcommittee and the full committee, and I appreciate his efforts.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7257, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Miller of Illinois). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) that
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7257, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                    ENERGY EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP ACT

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7258) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act
with respect to functions assigned to Assistant Secretaries, and for
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7258