San Antonio Standard

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2116 into law this week with a goal of thwarting Chinese-backed companies from gaining too much influence over Texas’ critical infrastructure. 

Also known as the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, Senate Bill 2116 is designed to prevent adversarial foreign nations from taking control of Texas infrastructure. 

“I believe that China has demonstrated the greatest capability and intent to advance their interests at the expense of the United States," said Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), who co-authored the bill. "China increasingly is challenging the United States in multiple arenas—especially economically, militarily, and technologically—and is pushing to change global norms." 

Other countries of concern include Iran, North Korea and Russia, in addition to any country that Abbott deems a threat to Texas infrastructure.

“SB 2116 also authorizes the governor, after consultation with the public safety director of Department of Public Safety and Texas Homeland Security Council, to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure for purposes of the bill's provisions,” Campbell told the San Antonio Standard.

The sectors protected by the bill include the power grid, water treatment facilities, chemical plants, and communication and cyber networks. 

“The summer of 2020 saw hostilities escalate between Chinese and Indian troops in the disputed Galwan River Valley,” Campbell said. “The Galwan River Valley is in the Himalayan region and has long been a point of conflict between the two states. China, along with these three adversarial governments, have shown the capability and intent to use critical infrastructure shutdowns to further promote their countries at the expense of American lives.”

As previously reported, SB 2116 was created amongst increasing national security concerns regarding China’s influence and control over Texas infrastructure. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed particular concern over a Chinese-owned energy company building a wind energy plant in Laughlin. 

"China has demonstrated a willingness to invest billions of dollars in specific, targeted economic initiatives through private companies to expand the global reach of their security and espionage capabilities; not only will these wind farms near Laughlin affect training routes, they could also risk our national security,” a spokesperson for Cruz told Foreign Policy.

Many analysts question whether Chinese-backed energy plants, such as wind farms, can be used to conduct espionage or even wage economic warfare within the United States, according to Foreign Policy.

“Chinese-owned companies will operate under subsidiaries within the United States, often utilizing American-sounding names," Campbell added. "GH America is a subsidiary of Xinjiang Guanghui Industry Investment Group Co., which is owned by Sun Guanghui."

In addition to the many national security concerns, the Hill Country Chronicle reported that other groups are highlighting major environmental issues with Chinese-backed energy projects in Texas, 

For example, the Devils River Conservancy (DRC), has openly opposed a wind farm in Blue Hills being pushed by a Chinese billionaire named Sun Guangxin. Guangxin is a veteran of the People’s Liberation Army. 

Not only is Guangxin’s proposed energy plant located next to the U.S. military’s Texas Laughlin Air Force Base, the plant is also poised to disrupt the scenic environment and wildlife patterns in Val Verde County, the DRC says.

“Not only will 700-foot wind turbines obstruct the view and destroy the natural beauty of the land, but they will also impact local and migrating populations of bats and birds, as well as disrupt the delicate and rich biodiverse ecosystem of the region,” a Devils River Conservancy representative told the Hill Country Chronicle. “The Devils River is a true national treasure and wind farms would destroy the region’s natural beauty and environmental values.” Senate Bill 2116 [will] also prevent Gurangxin’s proposed 'wind farm' from being constructed.”

Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping passed Article 7 of China's National Intelligence Law in 2017, which requires any organization or citizen shall support, assist and cooperate with state intelligence work according to law, according to Campbell.

“These types of national security laws allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) the ability to use any business to conduct state intelligence work,” she said.