Lawmakers levy energy infrastructure security concerns

A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), noting concerns regarding energy infrastructure security.

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, (R-MO), ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, spearheaded the letter initiative in the wake of a recently published book entitled “How to Blow Up a Pipeline.”

The correspondence addresses the impact pipeline infrastructure attacks would have on the economy, environment, and personal security of Americans. The legislators requested information regarding how the TSA is identifying physical attack threats to pipelines and efforts to mitigate the threats.

“Unfortunately, the media attention about this book has generally failed to overtly decry the book’s calls for criminal action,” the legislators wrote. “Needless to say, sabotaging pipelines during construction or operation can be deadly for communities and workers and disastrous for the environment.”

The legislators indicated they are encouraging TSA to work with critical infrastructure operators to detect and deter potential threats to public safety, the environment, and energy reliability.

“TSA reported a noticeable increase in pipeline security incidents in February 2021,” the legislators concluded. “As the lead federal agency overseeing pipeline security, TSA is responsible for engaging with pipeline operators to detect and deter both physical and cyber threats. We look forward to your response and to continuing to work with you to enhance the security of pipeline infrastructure.”