Democratic US senators want grid security review

Source: Associated Press

Democratic US senators want grid security review
| February 7, 2014 | Updated: February 7, 2014 6:20pm

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Four U.S. senators concerned about the sabotage of Silicon Valley's power grid and phone lines last April asked federal officials on Friday if mandatory security standards are needed.

The question was contained in a letter sent to federal energy regulators by Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Harry Reid of Nevada, Dianne Feinstein of California and Al Franken of Minnesota.

They are asking if requiring power companies to comply with what are now voluntary security standards would improve grid safety.

The letter was sent just days after former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jon Wellinghoff said the attack on the grid was an act of terrorism. The incident is under investigation by the FBI, which says it has found no indication of terrorism.

The senators wrote that the sabotage was a "wake-up call to the risk of physical attacks on the grid."


Read more: http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Democratic-US-senators-want-grid-security-review-5215385.php