Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) in introducing the Guaranteeing Resilient Installations for Defense (GRID) Act. This bipartisan legislation would strengthen and protect defense infrastructure and electric grids at military bases from the effects of extreme weather, cyberattacks, and other threats.
“As our military bases face increasingly complex threats from climate change to cyberattacks, it is critical for us to protect our defense infrastructure and their electric grids,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense measure that will make our military instillations more secure, prepared, and resilient. I’ll keep working with my colleagues to ensure that our military facilities in Nevada and across the country receive the vital support they need to keep our country safe.”
“Oklahoma is home to five world-class military installations,” said Sen. Mullin. “It is imperative our bases in Oklahoma and all critical defense sites across the country have access to a reliable supply of energy and electricity. The federal government must work together with local utilities to ensure electric grids for defense sites are resilient and secure. I am glad to join Sen. Cortez Masto on this important bill that does just that.”
The GRID Act would allow the Secretary of Energy to proactively improve the resilience of critical defense infrastructure and reduce the risk of disruption to the electrical grid. This legislation works to address threats to the electric grid from nature, terrorism, or cyberattacks by expanding the authority of the Department of Energy to facilitate partnerships between federal agencies and energy providers.Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colorado-06), Don Bacon (R-Nebraska-02), and Scott Peters (D-California-52) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
You can read the full bill text HERE.
Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for our service members and their families, as well as our veterans. She secured the expansion of the Fallon Range Training Complex through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), as well as her the Brian Neuman Act to remove roadblocks for disabled veterans accessing their benefits. She passed the PACT Act to ensure veterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty get the medical care they need and worked across the aisle to get legislation helping veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expanding benefits for women veterans signed into law. She’s also championed legislation to strengthen our energy grid.
