Ways to improve cyberSecurity Issues for the Energy Sector. Witnesses stressed the importance of protecting the Us Energy Grid and what the government can do now to help prepare for potential attacks, held by the Senate Energy committee, this is almost two hours. Good morning, the committee will come to order. We are here this morning to examine federal and industry efforts to improve the cybersecurity of the Energy Sector including efforts to improve collaboration on Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure protection initiatives. It has been more than a year since we last held a hearing on cybersecurity for the Energy Sector but it is fair to say this is always a timely topic. A critical priority we cant lose sight of even as we grapple with covid19, which becomes the source of our next national crisis. There have been a few noteworthy developments since our last year. Earlier this year the president issued an executive order focused on securing our system from the cyber and physic
Of our native communities. As part of our hearing, microphones will be set on mute. Members and witnesses, you will need to unmute your microphone each time you wish to speak. Documents can be sent to rebecca at the email address weve provided. And all documents will be entered into the record at the conclusion of the hearing. I recognize myself for five minutes for an opening statement. Let me find that, now that ive said that. I believe that todays hearing is long overdue. Day after day, our nations tribal communities are suffering inequality, unequal access to Drinking Water, energy grid, broadband, and other problems that have created unnecessary hardship and turmoil. And covid19 is exacerbating the existing problems now. And the Navajo Nation has seen rates higher than wuhan, china, during the height of the pandemic. And weve heard repeatedly about the struggles of the native communities to protect against covid19. As the pandemic rages on, access to ppe and testing and proper san
Provided and into the record to the conclusion of the hearing. I recognize myself for 5 minutes for Opening Statements. Let me find my Opening Statement here. I believe this hearing is long overdue. Suffering terrible inequalities. Unreliable access to the energy grid, little or no broadband connectivity, and reliable funds for the federal government and other systematic problems that created unnecessary hardship and turmoil and covid19 is exacerbating these long existing problems. One third of tribal members are at high risk of serious covid19 complications due to Underlying Health factors and Navajo Nation has seen higher infection rates than those in china at the peak of the pandemic. Despite this stark reality the impact of covid19 on tribal communities, weve seen the struggles of tribal communities and access to personal protective equipment and testing to protect against covid19. Is this pandemic redesign and covid19 cases continue to rise in many areas of the Country Access to p
Please knew your microphone. Mute your microphone. [indiscernible] we have previously provided guidance as to how this would [indiscernible] [indiscernible] cspan. Org [indiscernible] [indiscernible] thank you. I want to welcome mr. Menendez and his wife. I appreciate you taking on this post. Tonk you for taking the time talk to me last week and take the best thank you for taking the time this morning. This is the first hearing the committee has held since march the 10th. Since then, millions of americans have filed for unemployment. Nearly one point 5 million have contracted covid19 and nearly 90,000 have perished from the disease. Is work in the u. S. Senate that much more critical and we respond as we respond to this pandemic and return to the economy. Second the highestranking office and the department of energy and the department has been playing a role in helping the nation fight coronavirus. The department of energy is a scientific powerhouse. Its National Laboratories are some
This is a different world were facing. The pandemic has taken tens of thousands of americans and infected more than 1. 5 million and infected every single one. It focuses early on the security to the past few months. Including the nominee [inaudible] it is very different than my time in chairman. Those of you that are there in person and we do not we have previously provided guidance to reiterate care. The recommended social distancing. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] before he turned to the intervention i appreciate [inaudible] in the role with Energy Innovation including nuclear and Energy Efficiency renewable. We help create. That experience with the responsibilities and the decisions. Having full view of the department and everyone during this covert pandemic. [inaudible] non[inaudible] there will be situations that are uniquely situated during this pandemic. We thank you for that thank you, madam chairman and we want to thank you for holding this hearing and mr. Menendez nomin