On July 11, 2019, U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced legislation to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which would reauthorize the U.S. State Energy Program (SEP). The Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act would dedicate $90 million annually from Fiscal Years 2018-2022 to support states developing or revising a State Energy Security Plan. In a statement, Sen. Gardner said that this bill will strengthen the ability of states to secure energy infrastructure from physical and cybersecurity threats, mitigate risks from energy supply disruptions and improve states’ responses to disruptions, and ensure states have reliable, secure, and resilient infrastructure.
A similar bill reauthorizing SEP was introduced to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy in April 2019. The bill (H.R. 2114) was co-sponsored by Congressmen Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Fred Upton (R-MI), the Chair and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Subcommittee on Energy. Once approved and reconciled, these bills are expected to reauthorize SEP.