Introduction
State legislatures play an instrumental role in improving the security and resilience of the energy system. They direct energy priorities and funding, set laws and policies that can facilitate a rapid and strong recovery from emergencies, and help ensure future resilience. State legislatures can compel regulators and stakeholders to take certain actions or engage in certain activities and practices to improve their state’s energy security. States also partner with federal agencies to identify risks, mitigate threats and respond to energy disruptions.
Over the last several years, state legislative leadership and partnerships have proven more critical than ever. Natural disaster damages and related recovery costs have become increasingly burdensome on communities across the United States as the intensity and frequency of wildfires, hurricanes, winter storms and other emergency events has increased. Meanwhile, multiple high-profile human attacks on the energy system, from cyberattacks to physical attacks damaging electric substations and related grid infrastructure, have illuminated human-driven threats as another evolving risk to the energy system.
This toolkit provides state legislators and legislative staff with a broad range of resources to help inform and develop proactive, effective policies to bolster the resilience and security of America’s energy system. Below are analyses of state policy trends, examples and considerations, including discussions of some of the most pressing threats to energy security and resilience; expert insights and peer advice; and links to federal resources to help state legislatures and their executive branch partners implement states’ energy security priorities.
This resource was developed under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response under award number DE-CR00000010. NCSL gratefully acknowledges the U.S. Department of Energy’s support in developing this publication.
Disclaimer
This publication was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.