Cybersecurity Policy Report, Senators Ask New Energy Secretary to Retain Cyber Office, (Mar 26, 2021)

By Tom Leithauser

A bipartisan group of senators is advising the new secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, to retain an office established in the Energy Department in 2018 that focuses on cybersecurity and emergency response.

Ms. Granholm was confirmed by the Senate last month and is eyeing organizational changes at the department. But in a letter sent to Ms. Granholm yesterday, the 11 senators said it would be a mistake to eliminate the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER).

"Top officials within the intelligence, defense, and power communities have warned that the United States remains vulnerable to cyber attacks that could result in catastrophic damage to public health and safety, economic security, and national security," the senators said.

"We urge you, as secretary, to continue to prioritize cybersecurity by preserving the CESER office and upholding its leadership at the assistant secretary level," they said. "It is imperative that the department does not march backwards on its responsibilities to the energy sector and the protection of our critical infrastructure given the persistent, growing, and significant threat cyber attacks pose to our nation’s economy and national security."

The letter was signed by Sens. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), the committee’s ranking member, and Sens. Jim Risch (R., Idaho), Angus King (I., Maine), Mike Crapo (R., Idaho), Maria Cantwell (D., Wash.), Susan Collins (R., Maine), Martin Heinrich (D., N.M), Bill Cassidy (R., La.), Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska), and Ben Sasse (R., Neb.).

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