US President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency over the import of bulk-power system electric equipment, a measure that will ban purchases from certain countries and prompt a review to identify existing equipment vulnerable to cyber attack, to remove and replace it, the White House said Wednesday.
The measures were introduced as executive orders and aim to ensure the security and reliability of the US grid, "particularly from interference by foreign actors,", said a White House fact sheet on the measures which also extend to the use of foreign-sourced software.
The measures concern the transmission grid but do not apply to local power distribution, the statement said.
"Current minimal restrictions on acquisition or operation of foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment augment the ability of some foreign entities to create and exploit vulnerabilities in such equipment," the document said.
"Certain foreign actors are increasingly creating and exploiting vulnerabilities in the United States bulk-power system, which provides the electricity that supports our national defense, vital emergency services, critical infrastructure, and the economy."
The measures will apply to "Covered Foreign Entities", including those subject to sanctions or subject to a US arms embargo or otherwise deemed a hostile state, for transactions initiated on or after the Aug. 26 publication date, while prior equipment purchases will be reviewed with the possibility of equipment removal and replacement.
"The Order focuses on transactions involving foreign nationals that pose an undue risk of sabotage, unauthorized access, or other disruption, an undue risk of catastrophic effects on the security or resiliency of U.S. critical infrastructure, or an unacceptable risk to the security of the U.S." the order's accompanying factsheet said, without naming any countries.
The Secretary for Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National intelligence have been instructed to equipment designed, made or supplied by Covered Foreign Entities, the order said.
They will then develop and submit a plan to the president on how to identify, catalogue, isolate, monitor or replace the items as soon as that is practical, with regard for risk to the stability of the power grid.
Rules for acquisitions will also be revised within 180 days to ensure that security risks are sufficiently examined prior to federal procurement of energy infrastructure.