Executive Order Issued to Secure the United States Bulk-Power System
On May 1, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order on Securing the United States Bulk-Power System (the “Executive Order”), declaring a national emergency with respect to the bulk-power system and authorizing the U.S. Secretary of Energy (the “Energy Secretary”) to take immediate steps to protect its security, integrity, and reliability. The Executive Order prohibits the sourcing of certain electric equipment from “foreign adversaries” if it would pose risks to U.S. national security. This order also requires the Energy Secretary, in consultation with other agencies as appropriate, to identify bulk-power system electric equipment already installed within U.S. energy infrastructure and develop recommendations to mitigate the risks posed by such equipment. Lastly, the Executive Order establishes the Task Force on Federal Energy Infrastructure Procurement Policies Related to National Security to develop energy equipment procurement policies emphasizing national security considerations.