RSC Calls Out Chinese Solar Inverters as Security Risk to U.S. Energy Infrastructure

In a letter first reported by E&E News (Politico), the lawmakers are demanding that the Department of Commerce use its authority to block future imports of Chinese equipment used in critical infrastructure nationwide.

The letter was signed by RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11), RSC Vice Chairman Ben Cline (VA-06), RSC National Security Task Force Chairman Zach Nunn (IA-03), RSC HEAT Chairman Troy Balderson (OH-12), RSC National Security Task Force Vice Chairman James Moylan (Guam-At-Large), RSC HEAT Vice Chairman Randy Weber (TX-14), and RSC Members Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Roger Williams (TX-25), Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Bob Latta (OH-05), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Gary Palmer (AL-06), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Rick Allen (GA-12), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Laurel Lee (FL-15), Craig Goldman (TX-12), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), Julie Fedorchak (ND-At-Large), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Brian Babin (TX-36), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Pat Fallon (TX-04), William Timmons (SC-04), Austin Scott (GA-08), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Andy Barr (KY-06), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), David Rouzer (NC-07), Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Mary Miller (IL-15), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Greg Steube (FL-17), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Joe Wilson (SC-02), John McGuire (VA-05), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08), and Addison McDowell (NC-06).

Text of the full letter is below: 

Dear Secretary Lutnick,

We write to express our deep concern regarding the growing risks to the United States electric grid posed by technologies designed, programmed, and manufactured by adversarial nations. We urge the Department of Commerce to act swiftly to safeguard our grid and energy infrastructure from Chinese-made critical grid components and energy technologies that pose a severe threat to the safety of our constituents. As we work to achieve President Trump’s vision of American energy dominance, it is vital that our critical infrastructure is not dependent on technologies that could be exploited to undermine U.S. national security. 

The integration of critical grid technologies, such as utility-scale solar and battery inverters, sourced from foreign entities of concern pose unacceptable national security, economic, and supply chain risks. This is especially true as the United States faces historic electricity demand growth due to the AI revolution, new data centers, and increased industrial manufacturing places unprecedented strain on our grid. According to the Department of Energy’s 2025 Resource Adequacy Report, expected retirements of existing generation capacity coupled with projected load growth increases the risk of power outages in 2030 by 100 times. 

Earlier this year, a Reuters investigation revealed that certain Chinese-manufactured solar and battery inverters deployed across the nation contained undisclosed communication devices. Experts warn that these “rogue” components could bypass firewall protections and enable malicious remote access, potentially allowing adversaries to destabilize large portions of the grid. Simultaneously, a growing body of Chinese academic research reveals a systematic and technically advanced focus on how to hack, harm, or even collapse Western power grids, particularly through the exploitation of Chinese-made technologies embedded in American grid infrastructure, including through the use of inverters. Increasing our reliance on China for inverters and critical grid equipment is a mistake, especially as we have ample supply domestically and from allied nations that would not expose our national security to unacceptable risks. 

For these reasons, we respectfully request that the Department of Commerce exercise its authorities to restrict the future importation of such Chinese equipment and inverters for U.S. critical infrastructure. Such action would also align with the Trump Administration’s broader objectives of strengthening domestic supply chains and protecting American workers and consumers. We appreciate your attention to this matter, and we stand ready to work with you and your team to ensure the security and resilience of our grid.

Respectfully,

Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11), Rep. Ben Cline (VA-06), Rep.  Zach Nunn (IA-03), Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Rep. James Moylan (Guam-At-Large), Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25), Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09), Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01), Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15), Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12), Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01), Rep. Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-At-Large), Rep. Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36), Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-07), Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Rep. Pat Fallon (TX-04), Rep. William Timmons (SC-04), Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08), Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02), Rep. Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06), Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03), Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18), Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), Rep. Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15), Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27), Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17), Rep. Brad Finstad (MN-01), Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Rep. John McGuire (VA-05), Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Rep. Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Rep. Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Rep. Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08), and Rep. Addison McDowell (NC-06).