Trump Signs Order to Protect the US Electricity System: Energy DepartmentEpoch Times, May 2, 2020, Reuters
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed an executive order on May 1 that seeks to protect the U.S. electricity system from cyber and other attacks in a move that could eventually put barriers on some imports from China and Russia.
Trump declared in the order that the threat to the U.S. power system represents a national emergency, which allows the government to put in place measures such as the creation of a task force on procurement policies for energy infrastructure.
The order allows the energy secretary, in consultation with other officials, to prohibit acquisition, importation, transfer or installation of power equipment from an adversary that they determine poses a risk of sabotage to the U.S. power system.
“It is imperative the bulk-power system be secured against exploitation and attacks by foreign threats,†Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said in a news release. The order will “greatly diminish the ability of foreign adversaries to target our critical electric infrastructure,†he said.
The order defines bulk power equipment as items used in substations, control rooms, or power plants, including nuclear reactors, capacitors, transformers, large generators and backup generators and other equipment.
The order does not mention countries, but the 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment issued by then—U.S. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said that China and Russia and other countries were using cyber techniques to spy on U.S. infrastructure.
More:
https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-signs-order-to-protect-the-us-electricity-system-energy-department_3335456.html
