U.S. Reps. Emanual Cleaver, II (D-MO), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), John Katko (R-NY), and 12 other members of the Committee on Homeland Security re-introduced legislation to secure pipelines and pipeline facilities.
The legislation would address cyberattacks, terrorist attacks, and other efforts to target pipeline infrastructure. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been responsible for protecting America’s 2.7 million miles of pipelines. The Pipeline Security Act would reinforce support for TSA’s pipeline security mission and increase the TSA’s engagement with the public and private stakeholders.
“Both physical and cybersecurity threats to our infrastructure have the potential to harm our economy, undermine our national defense, and interrupt our daily lives. The attack on the Colonial Pipeline this week was just one example of what could go wrong, and it’s clear we may not be as lucky in the future if we don’t adjust,” Thompson, the chair of the Homeland Security Committee, said. “That is why I am eager to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation that strengthens DHS’s longstanding statutory authority to oversee and coordinate threats to our nation’s pipelines to ensure that our Federal response is rapid, clear, and consistent.”
The re-introduction of the legislation comes just weeks after a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, which led to a shutdown of the pipeline and gas shortages on the East Coast.
“It’s become clear that cyber-attacks on our critical infrastructure are national security and economic threats to the homeland,” Cleaver said. “The recent ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline, which caused the shutdown of thousands of miles of gas pipeline along the East Coast, was just the latest example of why Congress must act swiftly to harden our critical infrastructure and bolster our cybersecurity capabilities.”
The Pipeline Security Act would codify the TSA’s roles in securing pipelines, as well as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s roles. Additionally, the act would codify TSA’s Pipeline Security Station and require the agency to develop a personnel strategy for staffing it and require the TSA to update its pipeline security guidelines within a year of the legislation’s enactment.
“The recent ransomware attack against Colonial Pipeline Company further highlights the threats facing our nation’s critical infrastructure and the potential cascading impacts cyberattacks can have on our economy. With the attacks of this nature on the rise, it’s more important than ever to strengthen our cyber resilience,” Katko, the committee’s ranking member, said. “Right now, we need to focus on building existing capabilities and resources while ensuring federal roles and responsibilities are clear. DHS and DOT are co-Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs) for transportation systems, including pipelines, and should continue to run point, with TSA, CISA, and the U.S. Coast Guard continuing to play important roles. ”