Bill Text: MI SR0183 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the Michigan Public Service Commission and Michigan State Police to take steps to harden Michigan's electric grid.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-09-26 - Referred To Committee On Energy And Technology [SR0183 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-SR0183-Introduced.html
Senator Colbeck offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 183.
A resolution to memorialize the Michigan Public Service Commission and Michigan State Police to take steps to harden Michigan's electric grid.
Whereas, Electricity is a critically important component of modern life. A reliable power system is essential for public health and safety, a successful economy, and national security. Significant disruptions to electric service hinder communication and commerce, stall transportation, prevent the timely administration of medical care, and limit access to safe food and water; and
Whereas, Our electric grid is vulnerable to natural disasters and human-made threats. Solar storms and severe weather have the ability to knock out power for large portions of the country. Criminals, terrorists, and nation-states have also begun to target electric grids because they are vulnerable to sabotage and interrupting the distribution of power can have cataclysmic effects; and
Whereas, Michigan's electric grid needs to be protected against cyber-intrusions, physical attacks, electromagnetic events, and severe weather. Repairing the grid after an attack or weather event is costlier than taking preventative measures even without accounting for the resulting lost economic productivity, negative health impacts, and public safety consequences; and
Whereas, The Michigan Public Service Commission and Michigan State Police, as the state's public utility regulator and law enforcement and emergency management agency, have a responsibility to ensure the electric grid is protected against malicious attacks and natural disasters; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Michigan Public Service Commission and Michigan State Police to take steps to harden Michigan's electric grid; and be it further
Resolved, That those steps should include determining the electric grid's specific vulnerabilities and how much hardening them will cost, and developing a plan to proactively protect this vital infrastructure; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the commissioners of the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Director of the Michigan State Police.
