Is Your Bulk Plant a No Drone Zone?

According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the reckless and criminal use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, can pose a significant risk to critical infrastructure security and public safety, including the electric grid, pipelines, and hazardous material storage.  CISA lists some threats related to these drones as weaponized payloads, prohibited surveillance, intellectual property theft, and harassment.

Many operators of UAS in the United States are hobbyists who fly small drones for recreation, while others use drones for photography, agriculture, and other commercial applications. Drones weighing more than 8 ounces must register with the FAA. Under FAA regulations, all drone and UAS pilots must fly in a safe manner. Please note that the FAA does not regulate privacy, and a drone can fly over private property; however, local privacy laws may apply to drone operations. Click here for a link to states with privacy regulations for drones.

• What should I do if a drone is flying over my property, according to the FAA?
  • If you can identify the operator, try to communicate with them directly. If you are unable to communicate with them or they become suspicious, contact your local law enforcement or the FAA.
  • If the drone is operating in a threatening or suspicious manner, contact your local law enforcement or the FAA.
  • Do not attempt to shoot down a drone as this poses a safety hazard and is illegal.

For more information, please visit the FAA’s UAS Resource webpage. If you have questions about this or other security topics, contact NPGA’s Senior Manager for State Association Relations, Eric Sears, at [email protected].