Senator: Power plants vulnerable to cyberattack; DC needs to do more

By

The Associated Press

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joined at right by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., criticizes the Republican health care bill during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 11, 2017. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he will unveil their revised health care bill Thursday and begin voting on it next week. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says New York state’s power plants are vulnerable to cyberattacks and that Washington must do more to ensure their security.

The Democrat said Wednesday that he has written to the secretaries of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Energy seeking an update on efforts to improve cybersecurity at critical facilities such as power plants.

He says that reports that hackers have targeted power plants should serve as a “wake up call” that the facilities could be at risk.

Schumer says the federal government must to more to safeguard power stations from attacks that could disrupt the power grid.

Specifically, Schumer wants any infrastructure bill that passes Congress to include funding for cybersecurity upgrades at power plants and other vital facilities.