PANEL TO FOCUS ON THREAT TO THE SMART GRID THAT INTEGRATES 21^ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGY WITH THE 20^TH CENTURY POWER GRID

WASHINGTON, FEB. 27, 2012 – “Smart grid technologies provide lower energy costs and greater flexibility to the current grid system,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  “However, the interoperability of these systems makes them more susceptible to cybersecurity threats.  In this hearing, we will examine the threats and the efforts taken to protect this critical infrastructure.”

On Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at 10:15 a.m. in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing entitled “Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: Assessments of Smart Grid Security.”

Witnesses:

Gregory C. Wilshusen Director of Information Security Issues, Government Accountability Office (GAO); David Trimble Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office (GAO); Richard J. Campbell Specialist in Energy Policy, Congressional Research Service (CRS).