6.1a ERMUSR 03-13-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

AMERICAN PUBLIC RTM ASSOCIATION Powering Strong Communities ISSUE BRIEF January 2017 Physical Security and the Electric Sector Summary Gas and Electric's(PG&E)system in California where at least While threats from cyber attackers are on the rise,public power one person fired over 150 rounds of ammunition and cut two utilities also face threats to their physical infrastructure—the critical telecommunications cables to the substation.These and poles,wires,substations,transformers,and generating facilities several other press reports on attacks on utility infrastructure comprising these utilities'means of delivering electricity to their have caused some Members of Congress to react by introducing customers.The majority of physical-security threats to electric or exploring legislation related to utility security. infrastructure,such as copper theft,have been known for years. However,more sophisticated threats have emerged with the at- tack on a California substation in April 2013.While customers Congressional and Regulatory Action did not lose power as a result of the attack due to the redundan- The nation's electric distribution systems have always been,and cy built into the system,it was a reminder to law enforcement are today,regulated by state and local governments.This is a and electric utilities about the importance of working together deliberate separation of power given the retail nature of distribu- to protect critical utility assets. tion systems,and the vast differences in the configuration,size, Electric utilities,including public power utilities,take and ownership of the 3,000 distribution utilities in the U.S. physical(and cyber,as discussed in the companion issue brief Given this situation,each individual utility's role in the secu- "Cybersecurity and the Electric Sector") threats seriously and rity of its distribution facilities is paramount.However,in the employ risk management programs to prioritize facilities and past few Congresses,several legislative proposals have included equipment,develop contingency plans,and employ defense-in- physical-security requirements for electric utilities.While the depth techniques to"keep the lights on." American Public Power Association(Association or APPA) supports physical security initiatives at the bulk power system and distribution levels,we do not support a federally legislated Background "one-size-fits-all"mandate due to the differences in systems and Public power utilities intimately understand the importance of regions noted above. physical security and have longstanding programs and protocols The North American Electric Reliability Corporation designed to protect their utility systems.As the nature of phys (NERC),which promulgates mandatory and enforceable stan- ical threats has changed over the years,public power utilities dards for the federally jurisdictional bulk power system to ensure have planned,prepared,and responded accordingly.Today,due the reliability of that system,has considered proposals and to security breaches,such as vandalism and terrorist attacks that issued regularly updated security guidelines that would enhance physical-security requirements related to access to cyber assets can cause damage to this infrastructure,utilities must develop at electric utilities.' In response to developing threat analysis the best available mitigation practices to address such attacks. Physical infrastructure security can range from a substation with in March 2014,the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cameras,locks,and fences to engineering new facilities utilizing (FERC) used its authority under Section 215 of the Federal design bases threat methodology. Power Act to direct NERC to submit within 90 days proposed reliability standards requiring utilities with critical assets to In recent years,a few high profile incidents of physical take steps to address physical security vulnerabilities.NERC security failure have drawn increased scrutiny from several areas.One incident that received press attention was a shooting incident at a transformer at an Arkansas utility.Another high 1 (See APPA's"Electric Transmission Policies"issue brief for additional informa- profile incident took place at the Metcalf substation on Pacific don on the bulk power system.) PubticPower.org 13 195