United States Energy Association (USEA) recommends the nation assign one government agency the responsibility for oversight and coordination of infrastructure security programs across the entire energy sector.

“Because nuclear power plants, pipelines, port facilities, transmission hubs, hydroelectric structures and many other vital U.S. energy components could be terrorist targets, one government agency should be tasked” with overseeing energy security. This approach will ensure that information sharing, alert notification, and responsiveness by our industry will be timely and effective, the group said in its new report “National Energy Security, Post 9/11.”

The report, a product of associations representing the various segments of the industry, emphasizes the usual development of native resources and delivery infrastructure, conservation and efficiency to minimize the impact of world events, that was contained in previous reports. This time around, however, it emphasizes strengthening contingency planning and emergency preparedness.

The single agency should decide whether government or the private sector is primarily responsible for the defense of specific facilities and energy systems, the report said. It should review the field to determine what actions are necessary to protect the energy infrastructure.

The natural gas section, however, includes a caveat against too much government oversight. “Each utility is in the best position to determine its threats and appropriate response. Industry favors general guidelines, not required standards for preparedness,” since risk levels and critical facilities will be different for each company. The guidelines should be applied consistently by each government agency with energy jurisdiction.

Jurisdictional conflicts among government agencies should be minimized to ensure that access to law enforcement and intelligence information is timely and actionable.”

Also, there should be procedures installed that allow for reconstruction waivers to expedite recovery in the event of a terrorist attack. And a research program should be initiated “focused on enhanced safety and reliability of natural gas utility systems nationwide.”

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