OKC Standard

U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) recently introduced the Guaranteeing Resilient Installations for Defense (GRID) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to strengthen and protect defense infrastructure and electric grids at military bases from cyberattacks, natural disasters, and other threats.

The GRID Act amends the Federal Power Act to allow the Secretary of Energy to proactively improve the resilience of critical defense infrastructure and reduce the risk of disruption to the electrical grid. The legislation addresses threats to the electric grid from nature, terrorism, or cyberattacks by expanding the authority of the Department of Energy (DOE) to facilitate partnerships between federal agencies and energy providers.

“Oklahoma is home to five world-class military installations,” said Sen. Mullin. “It is imperative our bases in Oklahoma and all critical defense sites across the country have access to a reliable supply of energy and electricity. The federal government must work together with local utilities to ensure electric grids for defense sites are resilient and secure. I am glad to join Sen. Cortez Masto on this important bill that does just that.”

“As our military bases face increasingly complex threats from climate change to cyberattacks, it is critical for us to protect our defense infrastructure and their electric grids,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense measure that will make our military installations more secure, prepared, and resilient. I’ll keep working with my colleagues to ensure that our military facilities in Nevada and across the country receive the vital support they need to keep our country safe.”

The bill has garnered support from OG&E, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.