Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton just opened an investigation into Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL)—a company aligned with the Chinese Communist Party—for potentially violating state law by getting access to critical Texas infrastructure.
And the target is your power grid.
What’s Actually Happening
A power storage station currently under construction near Mabank, Texas, used CATL components for critical pieces of equipment. Those components have failed certain tests. And they pose a potential security risk to Texas’s entire power system.
Paxton says that’s a violation of Texas law.
The Law That Makes This Illegal
In September 2025, the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act took effect. It’s clear and direct: business entities cannot enter into agreements that would grant a Chinese-controlled business—especially one aligned with the CCP—direct or remote access to critical Texas infrastructure.
CATL is a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. If their equipment gives them access to Texas power infrastructure, that’s a violation.
Why This Matters
The power grid isn’t just electricity. It’s national security. It’s economic security. It’s survival.
If Chinese Communist Party-linked companies can access Texas’s power grid remotely, they can:
- Shut down power to hospitals, schools, and government facilities
- Steal critical infrastructure data
- Create vulnerabilities for future attacks
- Hold Texas hostage through power threats
- Damage the economy by disrupting electricity
This isn’t paranoia. This is documented risk.
What Paxton Said
“Texas must not allow foreign communists to infiltrate, interfere, or otherwise undermine our power grid or other parts of our 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.”
He added: “If you mess with Texas, I will come after you.”
That’s not empty rhetoric. Paxton has a track record of following through.
Paxton’s Broader Fight Against CCP Companies
This CATL investigation is part of a larger effort by Paxton to protect Texas from Chinese Communist Party influence. Recent actions include:
DeepSeek Investigation: Paxton launched an investigation into DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, over privacy violations and ties to the CCP. He banned DeepSeek from all Texas Attorney General Office devices and called on Google and Apple to provide documentation about the app.
TP-Link Investigation: Paxton opened an investigation into TP-Link Systems, a major networking equipment manufacturer originally founded in Shenzhen, China. The concern: whether the company is giving the CCP access to American consumers’ data through back doors in their equipment.
Lorex Technology Investigation: Paxton investigated Lorex Technology for selling security cameras from systems associated with the CCP. The cameras could transmit data back to China.
Privacy Enforcement: Paxton sent legal notices to multiple Chinese companies—including Alibaba, CapCut, and others—giving them 30 days to comply with Texas’s Data Privacy and Security Act or face legal action.
The Bigger Picture
Texas isn’t taking chances with CCP-aligned companies. And Paxton is leading the charge.
This isn’t just about one power facility near Mabank. This is about protecting all of Texas’s critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries.
What CATL Actually Is
CATL is one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers. They supply batteries for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and renewable energy projects. And they’re deeply connected to the Chinese government.
Having CATL components in Texas’s power grid means Chinese Communist Party-linked technology is controlling pieces of the system that keeps Texas running.
The Investigation
Paxton’s investigation will determine whether CATL’s involvement in the Mabank power storage station violates the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. If it does, the company will face serious consequences.
The investigation will examine:
- Whether the use of CATL products grants CCP-aligned actors access to critical infrastructure
- Whether the failed tests indicate security vulnerabilities
- Whether CATL components have back doors or remote access capabilities
- Whether the arrangement violates state law
Why This Matters for Texans
Your power bill depends on a functioning grid. Your hospital depends on electricity. Your job depends on power infrastructure. Your home security depends on the grid.
If Chinese Communist Party-linked companies can access that infrastructure, they can threaten all of it.
This isn’t about being anti-China or anti-business. This is about protecting Texas’s ability to function independently from foreign adversaries.
The Message
Paxton’s message is clear: if you’re a company aligned with the CCP and you’re trying to access or control Texas infrastructure, you will face legal action.
“If you mess with Texas, I will come after you.”
That’s not a threat. That’s a promise.
Bottom Line
The Mabank power storage station used Chinese Communist Party-linked technology in critical components. Those components failed tests. Texas AG Ken Paxton launched an investigation to determine if this violates state law.
And if it does, there will be consequences.
Welcome to Texas, where protecting your power grid means protecting your freedom.
