Commentary 1
This answer is given correctly since the difference between energy security and energy infrastructure security is clearly provided. In defining energy security, the key words to look for include the availability of energy resources, affordability of these resources, disruptions of supply, economic development and sustainability, and the political and physical environments (IEA, 2013). The answer describing energy security manages to explore all these aspects. It identifies that energy sources must be available for energy supply despite disruptions. However, it does not explore the affordability aspect. In defining energy infrastructure security, some of the key words include energy infrastructure and reduction of potential attacks and destruction of these infrastructures (Farrell et al., 2004). The answer adequately identifies that it has to do with protecting energy infrastructures to prevent possible attacks and destruction that might cause energy disruptions. It is also important to note that this happens at all levels such as local, state and federal levels.
Commentary 2
The answer is correct in observing that a number of agencies are responsible for the security of energy infrastructure. This answer correctly takes reference from the Presidential Directive 7 regarding Sector-Specific Agencies (SSAs). For the energy sector, the SSA is the Department of Energy. According to the Department of Homeland Security (2013), the SSA for the Energy sector is the Department of Energy (DOE). It is also correct that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has an office known as the Office of Energy Infrastructure Security (OEIS) that offers expertise, leadership and help to FERC to identify, communicate, and find comprehensive solutions to possible risks to energy jurisdictional facilities under FERC from physical threats such as electromagnetic pulses and from cyber attacks (FERC, 2012). However, it is not true that FERC is responsible for energy infrastructure security as a whole. According to DHS (2013), the SSAs are responsible for activities that regard the protection of specific critical infrastructure sectors. This means that DOE is responsible for protection of energy infrastructure.
References
Farrell, A.E., Zerriffi, H. & Dowlatabadi, H. (2004) Energy Infrastructure and Security. Annual Review of Environmental and Resources, 2004; 29: 421-469.
Federal Energy Regulatory. (2012, December 3) Office of Energy Infrastructure Security (OEIS). Retrieved from http://www.ferc.gov/about/offices/oeis.asp
International Energy Agency. (2013) Energy Security. Retrieved from http://www.iea.org/topics/energysecurity/
