House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Randy Weber (R-TX) sent a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm requesting information about the Department’s efforts to assist the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry to protect itself from cybersecurity threats from Russia.
“There is a real and credible threat that America’s energy infrastructure may soon be attacked by malicious actors in Russia,” Lucas and Weber wrote. “With Russian aggression in Ukraine destabilizing global energy markets, recent reports of cyberattacks on our country’s LNG producers, and intelligence reports warning of more attacks soon, it has never been more important to secure America’s energy supplies.”
Lucas and Weber cited warnings by the President and FBI of potential attacks, as well as evidence of a significant number of recent attacks against the LNG industry.
“Yesterday, President Biden announced that the Russian government is exploring cyberattacks against key U.S. infrastructure, including the energy sector,” they said. “The announcement came days after the FBI issued a bulletin warning the U.S. energy sector about network scanning activity from Russia-based IP addresses that is associated with previous attacks against critical infrastructure.”
Lucas and Weber asked Secretary Granholm to provide Congress with information about how DOE is working to address these cybersecurity threats and secure America’s LNG supplies.
“Given the recent attacks on LNG producers and the precarious geopolitical climate, we request additional information on the Department’s efforts to secure our LNG supply chain. Such an update will help us better direct and support the Department’s cybersecurity research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities.”