HF 1253

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/06/2023 07:10pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring public utilities to assess and report on the vulnerability
of critical electric substations to physical attack; requiring implementation of
security measures; providing for cost recovery.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin ELECTRIC UTILITY SUBSTATION SECURITY; ASSESSMENT;
IMPLEMENTATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Public Utilities Commission must issue an order requiring each public utility
that provides retail electric service in Minnesota to contract, no later than October 1, 2023,
with an independent analyst with expertise in physical security for electrical distribution
systems to assess the physical security risks to the utility's electrical utility substations that,
if rendered inoperable or damaged, could result in widespread instability or interruption of
service within the electrical grid. At a minimum, the assessment must:
new text end

new text begin (1) evaluate potential threats to and vulnerabilities of substations with respect to physical
attacks;
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new text begin (2) recommend a security plan that significantly reduces the vulnerability to physical
attacks of substations by implementing measures designed to detect, deter, delay, assess,
communicate, and respond to physical threats; and
new text end

new text begin (3) develop a detailed budget to implement the recommended actions.
new text end

new text begin (b) The assessment required under this section must be filed with the Public Utilities
Commission no later than June 1, 2024. The Public Utilities Commission must review the
assessments and issue orders no later than November 1, 2024, to each public utility to
implement recommendations contained in the assessments that the Public Utilities
Commission determines are key to enhancing the physical security of critical substations.
new text end

new text begin (c) The assessment and implementation of security recommendations made under this
section are eligible for cost recovery under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.16.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end