Committee advances bill requiring corporation commission grid-security reviews
Summary
Senate Bill 1501 would require the Arizona Corporation Commission to conduct periodic reviews of generation and grid-management technologies, including protections against physical and cyber attacks and electromagnetic pulse threats; the committee gave the bill a due-pass recommendation.
Senate Bill 1501, which directs the Arizona Corporation Commission to conduct regular reviews of generation and grid-management technologies and evaluate protections against physical, cyber and electromagnetic threats, was returned with a due-pass recommendation by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water.
A staff presenter told the committee the bill requires the commission to assess generation and grid management technologies, review cybersecurity and grid protection protocols every two years, identify equipment and practices necessary to secure a continuous electricity supply, and encourage investor-owned utilities to address problems identified in the review.
No public witnesses spoke at the hearing on this bill and committee members recorded the motion to return the bill with a due-pass recommendation. The chair announced that the measure passed the committee with a due-pass recommendation following roll call; the announced tally was 5 ayes, 4 nays and 1 absent.
The bill as described would create a regular, statutory review process at the Arizona Corporation Commission to evaluate grid security measures and recommend actions for utilities and system operators to improve resilience and cybersecurity.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 1501 was returned with a due-pass recommendation; committee roll-call, as announced at the hearing, produced 5 ayes, 4 nays and 1 absent.
