On May 1st, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order on Securing the United States Bulk-Power System, declaring a national emergency with respect to threats that are manifesting, via physical and cyber, from acquisitions sourced in whole or part outside the United States. The Secretary of Energy is directed establish a task force to design and institute criteria, rules and regulations to reduce risk to the Bulk Energy System, through risk assessments focused on identifying foreign adversaries, or persons controlled by or subject to jurisdiction of foreign adversaries.
Within 150 days of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the DoD, DHS, ODNI, DOI, OMB and other agencies will recommend policies, procedures, rules or regulations to implement supply chain procurement controls, guidance or restrictions on acquisitions in support of this order.
The goal of which is to identify bulk-power system electric equipment, developed or manufactured, that poses an undue risk of sabotage or subversion that can cause catastrophic damage to the security and resiliency of US critical infrastructure. Additionally, equipment that is current in operation, that would be subject to restriction, needs to be isolated, monitored or replaced as soon as practicable, while managing overall risk to the bulk-power system.
