Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Support Graduate Students in Cybersecurity and Energy

On April 26, Representatives Deborah Ross (D-NC) and Mike Carey (R-OH) introduced legislation to protect energy infrastructure amid growing cybersecurity threats. If passed, the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program Act (H.R. 7569) would create the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program at the Department of Energy. If created, the program would:

• Provide financial assistance to support graduate students studying the convergence of cybersecurity and energy infrastructure;
• Provide students and postdoctoral researchers with traineeship research experiences at the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories and utilities; and
• expand outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Representative Ross mentioned in a press release, “I’m proud to represent much of the Research Triangle, home to institutions and universities that are propelling our nation’s innovation in cybersecurity and clean energy. From NC State to Shaw, Saint Augustine’s and Wake Tech, this legislation will better equip our brilliant students and researchers in North Carolina and beyond to tackle this changing cybersecurity landscape. It is imperative that we work together to address threats against the United States’ security across sectors, and I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Carey.”

Representative Carey also stated “Establishing the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program will strengthen our resilience by further developing a high-skilled workforce with energy-specific cybersecurity expertise. America must be unified in our response to foreign adversaries seeking to attack our energy networks, which is why I am proud to introduce this bi-partisan legislation with Representative Deborah Ross and look forward working together toward its passage.”

The legislation was referred to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee where it awaits further congressional action.