The Colonial Pipeline, a critical part of our infrastructure that carries 45% of the East Coast’s fuel supplies, was attacked in May. This was the most significant assault on our vulnerable infrastructure since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks paralyzed transit and sent fuel prices sky high. Following the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, long lines at gas stations reminded Americans of the energy paralysis the country faced during the 1970s, when an OPEC oil embargo created fuel shortages with significant economic repercussions.
Are we repeating history?
I certainly hope not. Since both the days of stagflation and the aftermath of 9/11, our nation has made great gains in domestic energy production and national security. Today, the United States is the world’s leading oil producer. Our invention of hydraulic fracturing has positioned us as a global leader in carbon-cutting natural gas. The renewable energy revolution currently underway will bring even greater diversity and resiliency to our energy production and distribution systems.
In 2018, a group of fellow Pennsylvania leaders and I launched the Pennsylvania Conservative Energy Forum, a group devoted to “all of the above” energy generation that includes new technologies. Our organization recognizes that renewable energy must be a part of building for the future. On my farm, solar panels generate most of the electricity needed for our agricultural operations.
Last year, I endorsed bipartisan legislation drafted by Pennsylvania conservatives for Community Solar, an initiative that will secure local generation for thousands more Pennsylvanians. HB 1555 is the latest version in the Keystone State, and it stands a good chance of passage in the coming weeks. State Rep. Aaron Kaufer is a true conservative and the legislation’s author. I call on the Pennsylvania Legislature to support his bill.
Most of the overall recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which I served on, have been followed. But some need more work.
In our report, we note that the majority of America’s infrastructure is in private hands. We found that the Department of Homeland Security should “identify those elements of our transportation, energy, communications, financial, and other institutions that need to be protected.” As we had noted earlier, the vulnerabilities and difficulties associated with pipelines contributed to instability in the Middle East before the 9/11 attacks. We understood the easy target that pipelines presented to our enemies. We noted that protecting them would require going “well beyond the pre-existing jobs” carried out by the department’s predecessors.
Today, cyberattacks by a nation-state, terrorist organization, or criminal enterprise (or any of these working in coordination) pose the greatest challenge to our vulnerable energy infrastructure.
With digital access infiltrated by foreign agents, it is necessary to consider scenarios much worse than this one. What will we do, for instance, when entire electrical grids are targeted for shutdown? If we are having this much trouble with a Russian-based group of criminals known as “Dark Side,” how will we defend ourselves against the Russian military’s cyber warriors? (Russia says it was not involved, which reminds me of similar “see no evil, hear no evil” statements made by the Kremlin since I was in grade school.)
If we are to keep our energy infrastructure safe, much greater vigilance and resolve is required. Bipartisan work that includes the ideas of center-right leaders is greatly needed. My U.S. representative, Brian Fitzpatrick (who co-leads the Problem-Solvers Caucus in the U.S. House), recently said that the “mission of building bridges, engaging in productive, bipartisan conversations and debates, and working to find common ground on every key issue facing our nation” is paramount. In that spirit, here are some recommendations.
America’s energy infrastructure is aging. We need smart, targeted investments in our energy infrastructure to build our electric grid’s resilience. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has an Energy Innovation Agenda that his colleagues on the other side of the aisle should take a serious look at.
Cyberattacks are a new form of warfare; unfortunately, they are not going away. Diversifying America’s energy portfolio will help keep Americans safe from foreign adversaries.
This incident should be viewed as a cautionary tale for the new electric economy. Unleashing American innovation in energy and cybersecurity research and development will help protect America from these kinds of cyberattacks in the future.
I urge our leaders to consider the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations that have not yet been implemented, especially in the areas of cybersecurity and energy infrastructure. If we do not plan for the worst, we may just experience it again.
John Lehman served as U.S. secretary of the Navy from 1981-1987 under President Ronald Reagan and was a member of the 9/11 Commission. His latest book is Oceans Ventured, Winning the Cold War at Sea. He resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
