|
Trump on June 1 directed Perry to take emergency steps to keep
nuclear and coal plants running, in what would amount to an
unprecedented intervention in U.S. power markets that has drawn
backlash from environmentalists as well as oil, gas and
renewable energy companies.
"This is not just singularly an economic issue," Perry told
reporters at the G20 Energy Ministers' meeting in Bariloche,
Argentina, citing risks of cyberattacks by "nefarious actors" or
"terrorist groups" on the civilian electric grid, which also
provides U.S. military bases with nearly all their power.
According to the DOE, cyber and physical threats are "minimized"
at nuclear and coal plants because they can store months of fuel
on site to survive a supply cut. Some experts have said coal
infrastructure is just as susceptible to cyber attacks as
natural gas pipelines.
The U.S. coal and nuclear power industries have been shrinking
for years, under pressure from cheaper natural gas along with
advances in solar and wind energy.
"You would not want to wager that your liberties and your
freedoms in a country - the United States in this case - should
be left solely to the free market," Perry said.
He did not respond to questions on when the plan would be
announced or its details.
(Reporting by Luc Cohen; Editing by David Gregorio)
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
