**GAO-11-883T**                      Published: Aug 24, 2011. Publicly Released: Aug 24, 2011.                  

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## Highlights

The nation's economy and security are heavily dependent on oil, natural gas, and other energy commodities. Al-Qa'ida and other groups with malevolent intent have targeted energy tankers and offshore energy infrastructure because of their importance to the nation's economy and national security. The U.S. Coast Guard--a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)--is the lead federal agency for maritime security, including the security of energy tankers and offshore energy infrastructure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also has responsibilities for preventing and responding to terrorist incidents. This testimony discusses the extent to which (1) the Coast Guard and the FBI have taken actions to address GAO's prior recommendations to prevent and respond to a terrorist incident involving energy tankers and (2) the Coast Guard has taken actions to assess the security risks to offshore energy infrastructure and related challenges. This testimony is based on products issued from December 2007 through March 2011 and recently completed work on the Coast Guard's actions to assess security risks. GAO reviewed documents from the Coast Guard's risk model and relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; and interviewed Coast Guard officials.

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## Topics

Homeland Security

Facility securityHomeland securityInternal controlsMaritime securityPerformance measuresRisk assessmentRisk managementSecurity assessmentsSecurity threatsShipsStrategic planningTankers (Vessels)TerrorismDisaster planningEmergency responseEmergency response plansEmergency response proceduresEnergy securityOil importingPolicies and procedures