Karen Gleason
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales said Thursday he considers the Chinese-owned wind farms in central Val Verde County a national security threat.
Gonzales said he is working with the Trump Administration in its remaining few days in office to take whatever actions can be taken before the change in administrations.
Gonzales spoke about the wind farms during an interview with the 830 Times while he was in Del Rio Thursday.
In office only two weeks, Gonzales said he is already making a review of the wind farms a priority.
On Thursday, Gonzales also sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, in which he detailed his concerns about the Val Verde County wind farms.
In the letter, Gonzales outlined the connections of the Blue Hills Wind Farms owner to the Chinese Communist Party and noted, “U.S. intelligence agencies have long warned that China and other adversaries could penetrate U.S. electrical grids through cyber attacks to take bulk-power systems offline.”
Gonzales also wrote he is “extremely troubled” by the potential national security implications” of having a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party so close to Laughlin Air Force Base.
The congressman called on a review of a decision by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) that the Blue Hills Wind Farm does not pose a national security risk.
Gonzales said Thursday he has also been in contact with the White House regarding the wind farm.
“This week has been very hectic, and there has been a lot going on. For me, it’s always going to be about the district, so two days ago, I had a call with the White House, and we talked about what we can specifically do on this problem set, and what we worked out, is, there is an executive order already in place, and I’m working with the administration on possibly doing some things before they exit. We don’t have a lot of time,” Gonzales said.
The congressman said he will continue working with the Trump Administration on the wind farm issue as long as possible.
“Before they exit, I want to make sure that everything is happening the way it’s supposed to. Having some of these what I consider to be national security threats in our backyard is very dangerous, and I want to do everything I possibly can. We’re pushing hard with this administration to try to get something done,” Gonzales said.
