Jun. 23, 2022
HARRISBURG – Sponsored by House Environmental Resources and Energy (ERE) Committee Majority Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), a resolution urging Congress to fund measures to protect the power grid of the United States from electromagnetic pulse (EMPs) attacks and solar flares was reported out of the ERE Committee on Thursday.
“Especially during these unprecedented times of rampant inflation, more and more citizens across the nation are recognizing the absolute necessity of electricity coming from our power grid,” said Metcalfe. “It is imperative that we use every method at our disposal to protect our priority energy resources from EMP attacks by foreign adversaries and technology incapacitating solar flares.”
EMP attacks have the capabilities of severely disrupting communications and critical U.S. infrastructure. With solar flare occurrences on the rise, America is already experiencing adverse effects and disruptions with radio communications, satellites and cellular communications.
Metcalfe’s resolution language is modeled after a similar resolution passed by the American Legion urging Congress to take steps to protect the nation’s power grid.
House Resolution 213 now advances to the full House for consideration.