Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated an investigation into the use of technology linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) within the state’s infrastructure. This inquiry focuses on a power storage facility that allegedly employs products manufactured by Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., a company that has raised concerns over potential security breaches.
Paxton’s investigation aligns with a broader movement among Republican lawmakers to limit Chinese access to critical American infrastructure. This effort follows the enactment of a Texas law in 2021 aimed at prohibiting agreements that would allow businesses controlled by the CCP to gain direct or remote access to essential state infrastructure. Paxton stated, “The CCP is a bad actor, and it is unlawful for aligned companies to meddle in our state in order to grant backdoor access to their handlers.”
Concerns Over Power Grid Security
The investigation seeks to determine whether the use of Amperex’s products violates Texas laws designed to protect the state’s power grid. Paxton emphasized that any connection to the CCP could pose significant risks to Texas’s energy security. This scrutiny is part of a larger national effort that gained traction during the administration of former President Donald Trump, which sought to curb Chinese influence in various sectors, including energy.
Recent analyses have highlighted that the Nuclear Energy Institute, the largest energy lobbying organization in the United States, has connections with the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Operations and Management Company, another entity linked to the CCP. This company was previously barred from operating in the U.S. due to allegations of espionage and theft involving U.S. military technology.
Lobbying Efforts and Regulatory Challenges
In the current political landscape, companies have reportedly spent over $1 million lobbying Congress this year, reinforcing their positions in the energy sector. The ongoing investigation by Paxton is part of a concerted effort to challenge and mitigate the influence of CCP-affiliated products and businesses in Texas.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how state officials will respond to the findings and whether further legislative measures will be introduced to enhance security protocols regarding foreign entities involved with Texas’s infrastructure. The implications of this inquiry could resonate beyond state lines, potentially influencing national policy towards Chinese investments and partnerships in the energy sector.