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.11171/11111 Position Statement .
<br /> Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
<br /> Cybersecurity in the Electric Industry
<br /> Background ' . ,7: i .' �� %
<br /> Public Power, 8 � ' } " k
<br /> along with 41 44}}
<br /> g ,g `S •the rest of the b V/ l \ ���1,1%,=:„:,, e.s;v e /.: '
<br /> electric utility .��� i ,a
<br /> �.� /war xifr
<br /> industry, takes uti n� z V ° , . a b tits
<br /> seriously its �, �tr .0 d , ',
<br /> responsibility to i �/�,., i�"a t' , ,r o , ,.x
<br /> maintain and P ` �,�
<br /> protect a strong -��� v 1 f i4i:"� , r
<br /> electric grid, I �y ,° ' qe , i�i.0 ! 's'
<br /> a system that .' r ®/® A I v, 19V' c'
<br /> is absolutely +��` ns 'C era fe.''i)11&T a. '*,D - 4 t ,,£.
<br /> essential for a tr < ®,"%�1 f,re"I, .' ,' C
<br /> the welfare ,i ®� t –1.–.."' _ ,*
<br /> and security ti; I,
<br /> of the nation. Q�-4 O;� i
<br /> That is why the "ft-,0,/t' ''c�. 1 ®®MS'— `�',
<br /> industry worked -®
<br /> together to reach -' . I ' r
<br /> I,® �,
<br /> consensus on 1 ,� 7w;as, a -„i 'J
<br /> a mandatory
<br /> reliability plan As threats to the security and integrity of the grid
<br /> as spelled out in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 develop, everyone in the electric industry accepts
<br /> (EPAct05) and continues to work with the Federal the fact that new government authority will be
<br /> Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the necessary to deal with cyber attacks.
<br /> North American Electric Reliability Corporation
<br /> (NERC) to establish and enforce comprehensive The industry itself, with NERC, has made great
<br /> standards to strengthen the grid. strides in addressing cyber security threats,
<br /> vulnerabilities, and potential emergencies. We
<br /> Under the current framework, cyber security recognize that emergency situations warranting
<br /> standards for the bulk electric system are drafted federal involvement may arise. The questions on
<br /> by industry experts through their participation in this issue going forward are: How much authority?
<br /> NERC –whose role is sanctioned by the Energy What will be asked of the industry? Who will
<br /> Policy Act of 2005. In accordance with this law, be in charge of this effort? The answers to these
<br /> FERC has the power to approve or remand these questions may go a long way in determining
<br /> standards, as well as the authority to direct NERC whether the nation's electric grid will have effective
<br /> to quickly develop additional standards in response cybersecurity protections with minimal impact
<br /> to newly identified threats. FERC also enforces on efficient utility operations or a cumbersome
<br /> these standards, and has the authority to issue expensive system beset by inconsistent, duplicative
<br /> substantial penalties for noncompliance. requirements.
<br /> 12/ 2013 Federal Position Statements
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