DOE STUDY OF SECURITY ATTRIBUTES OF SMART GRID SYSTEMS.

SEC. 1309. DOE STUDY OF SECURITY ATTRIBUTES OF SMART GRID SYSTEMS.(a) DOE Study.—The Secretary shall, within 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report to Congress that provides a quantitative assessment and determination of the existing and potential impacts of the deployment of Smart Grid systems on improving the security of the Nation’s electricity infrastructure and operating capability. The report shall include but not be limited to specific recommendations on each of the following:(1) How smart grid systems can help in making the Nation’s electricity system less vulnerable to disruptions due to intentional acts against the system.(2) How smart grid systems can help in restoring the integrity of the Nation’s electricity system subsequent to disruptions.(3) How smart grid systems can facilitate nationwide, interoperable emergency communications and control of the Nation’s electricity system during times of localized, regional, or nationwide emergency.(4) What risks must be taken into account that smart grid systems may, if not carefully created and managed, create vulnerability to security threats of any sort, and how such risks may be mitigated.(b) Consultation.—The Secretary shall consult with other Federal agencies in the development of the report under this section, including but not limited to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Electric Reliability Organization certified by the Commission under section 215(c) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o) as added by section 1211 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–58; 119 Stat. 941).