The House Environment and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing August 30 on the threats electromagnetic pulse attacks and solar flares pose to the electric grid and security.

The hearing is a follow up to a June meeting of the Committee to report out House Resolution 213 (Metcalfe-R-Butler) which urges Congress to fund measures to protect the power grid from electromagnetic pulse attacks and solar flare incidents.

The full House adopted the resolution June 29.

In Rep. Daryl Metcalfe’s cosponsor memo, he describe the need for the resolution this way--

“Now more than ever, citizens see the reliance we have in electricity coming from our power grid, yet little to no effort by the federal government has been done to protect our power grid from electromagnetic pulse attacks initiated by foreign adversaries. 

“EMPs have the capabilities to disrupt communications and incapacitate critical U.S. infrastructure.

“Additionally, solar flare occurrences are on the rise. With the increase of solar flares, we will begin to see adverse effects to radio communications, satellites, and cellular communications.

“It is imperative we use every available method at our disposal to protect our power grid from EMP attacks or solar flare incidents.

“My resolution’s language is modeled from a similar resolution passed by the American Legion urging Congress to take steps to protect our power grid.”

The meeting will be held in Room G-50 Irvis Building starting at 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1707 or sending email to: dmetcalf@pahousegop.com. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7647 or sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net.

Related Article:

-- DEP Invites Comments On Electric Grid Resilience Plan At Aug. 31 Virtual Meeting  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 18, 2022]  PA Environment Digest

8/22/2022