The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission wants to know how it might mitigate risks posed by providers of telecommunications equipment, specifically including Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE, which have been identified by other government entities as threats to national security.
“The Commission seeks comments,” FERC said in a notice of inquiry set to publish Wednesday in the Federal Register on “the extent of the use of equipment and services provided by certain entities identified as risks to national security related to bulk electric system operations.”
Lawmakers such as Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, have called on the energy sector to report the information since March 2019. Following a subsequent pair of executive orders banning U.S. entities from procuring information and communications technology from vendors connected to foreign adversaries, the pressure has significantly increased.
In July, the Department of Energy referenced Executive Order 13920, which specifically targets the bulk power system, in issuing a request for information asking the industry to describe its supply chain risk management practices, especially regarding efforts to stem foreign ownership, control or influence.
“The RFI is helpful in that it provides clarification in a number of areas, but concern remains that the Executive Order creates substantial uncertainty in the sector due to its potentially far-reaching implications,” the Business Council for Sustainable Energy responded. The group represents a wide ranging set of entities including the solar, wind and natural gas industries. “Without timely clarifications, the Executive Order could result in delay or cancella ..
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