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China Wages Lawfare on American Energy

March 19, 2026

Need to know

 

  • Check out TEA’s website for the latest in energy news and opinion.
  • TEA Takes: Times of conflict or war remind us of the importance of natural gas.
  • Oil prices climb despite Trump moves to temper the market.
  • Opinion: AI is outpacing America’s power grid. Nuclear must become a national priority.
  • A hydropower line from Quebec could power a million NYC homes.
  • UN climate chief: War-driven energy price spikes highlight value of renewables.
  • Trump plans $1B buyout for offshore wind leases.

RealClear

Common Sense

SOLAR FAILED DURING TORNADO: Last Tuesday, an EF-1 tornado destroyed the Dunns Bridge Solar I and II facilities owned by the Northern Indiana Public Service Company. The facilities, located outside of Wheatfield, Indiana, had 2.4 million solar panels, totaling 700 megawatts (MW) of power capacity, and cost $1 billion to construct.
Why it matters: Not surprisingly, while the solar panels were damaged by the rather mild tornado, there were no reports of damage at the nearby R.M. Schahfer Generating Station, a 950 MW coal facility that was set to retire at the end of 2025. However, it is still running thanks to an order issued by The Department of Energy that required the plant to continue operations, Energy Bad Boys wrote.
  • Because the solar installation was destroyed much earlier than it was expected to be retired, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) skyrockets for what it was able to provide in its short life.
  • The undamaged coal plant, on the other hand, has a $70 per MWh LCOE — a price that would be competitive with the solar plant had it lasted for its intended 25 years.
Consider: It’s also a good time to embrace energy realism. The United States needs a “best-of-the-above” approach that prioritizes reliability and affordability.
Natural gas has become the backbone of the American power system because it is reliable, scalable, and domestically abundant.
It is also the single largest driver of emissions reductions in the US power sector for the past 17 years — and double the impact of renewable power.
Reliable energy is imperative to the health, safety and prosperity of American families and businesses. We must be able to count on our energy sources to be available and productive when we need them most.
“Keeping these coal plants online has the potential to save lives and is just common sense,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a somewhat prophetic statement just before Christmas. “Americans deserve reliable power regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining during extreme winter conditions.”
Bottom line: Natural gas and other traditional energy sources provide consistent power and fuel, proven to be more resilient during extreme weather and other crises.

Nonsense

CCP’S UNDUE INFLUENCE: A Chinese Communist Party connected organization gave millions of dollars to an environmental law non-profit that targets energy projects in Louisiana.
Why it matters: This report makes clear the left’s war on American energy is fueled by Chinese propaganda being pushed as fact. Yet another excellent reason to pass the proposed ARC Energy Security legislation to ensure we are producing domestic energy that is affordable for all Americans.
Consider:
  • The Pelican Institute For Public Policy published a report outlining the institutional barriers preventing Louisiana from developing its energy industry.
  • Earthjustice, an environmental law organization headquartered in San Francisco, receives millions of dollars in funding from a non-profit organization with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) connections.
  • Earthjustice represents numerous green advocacy groups in lawsuits, permit challenges and civil rights complaints, the report found.

Here’s the really scary part: Earthjustice received $6,562,936 from Energy Foundation China since 2003, a non-profit organization with direct ties to the Chinese government.

The US Energy Foundation has been accused of funding American-based organizations to advance Chinese energy interests through lawfare against the American energy sector which was discussed in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2025.
The Empowerment Alliance has warned of actions by these far-left green advocates. Their policies reverse gains in affordable, reliable energy — raising costs for families and small businesses.
Bottom line: America must codify affordable, reliable and clean energy to blunt foreign interference and protect US production.

A look ahead

Hearing On Mineral Leasing: On Wednesday, March 25, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will have a hearing on several regarding mineral leasing and other issues.

Hearing On Critical Minerals: On Wednesday, March 25, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will have a rescheduled hearing on “Unleashing America’s Mineral Potential: The Critical Mineral Commodity Supply Chain.”

Quote of the week

“The Trump Administration remains committed to putting all Americans and their energy security first. Today’s order will strengthen America’s oil supply and restore a pipeline system vital to our national security and defense, ensuring that West Coast military installations have the reliable energy critical to military readiness.”