April 16, 2024
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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Congressman Rick Crawford (Arkansas) and John Duarte (California) introduced H.R. 7922 which is described as establishing:
… a Water Risk and Resilience Organization to develop risk and resilience requirements for the water sector.
H.R. 7922 would establish a new governing body titled The Water Risk and Resilience Organization (“WRRO”).
The organization would have cyber and water-system expertise to develop and enforce cyber security requirements for water infrastructure such as:
- Drinking water facilities
- Waste water systems
The WRRO would coordinate with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”).
The American Water Works Association (“AWWA”) has stated that the Legislation:
- Supports AWWA’s recommendation for a collaborative approach to cyber security
- Leverages knowledge of the sector for protecting water utilities from cyber-attacks
- Builds on a similar model that has been successfully applied in the electric sector
EPA has previously expressed concern that some public water systems have failed to adopt basic security test practices.
H.R. 7922 has been referred to the United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
A copy of the Legislation can be downloaded here.
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