Photo: Moment RF
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has called for a hearing in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee to address ongoing concerns about potential Chinese access to Texas’ critical infrastructure—primarily the state’s ability to generate power.
The hearing will focus on connections between Chinese Communist Party-affiliated products and companies in the solar power generation and collection industries.
State Senator Mayes Middleton, a member of the Business and Commerce Committee, says he is not surprised the CCP has targeted these sectors. He also warned that, depending on the extent of their involvement, they could already be breaking Texas law.
“If they have any ownership or any stake in our critical infrastructure or real property in Texas, they are breaking the law,” Middleton said.
He emphasized that no exceptions can be made when it comes to critical infrastructure like power generation. “They will continue to hurt Texas, the citizens of Texas, and our great nation as well,” he said, “because they are our enemy—our adversary.”
Middleton says the hearings are essential to determine once and for all how deeply CCP-linked entities are embedded in companies seeking to build solar farms in Texas or supply equipment to ERCOT. He specifically warned about the use of shell companies and various LLCs created to shield CCP-connected actors from scrutiny.