WASHINGTON—Today, The Heritage Foundation unveiled a new report titled “Chinese Handcuffs: Don’t Allow the U.S. Military to Be Hooked on Green Energy from China.” This report examines how the Biden Administration’s aggressive “green energy” agenda forces the United States military to be more dependent on Communist China’s energy sector, while the development of conventional natural resources in America is neglected. These issues severely jeopardize U.S. military readiness—as well as the safety of the American people.  
 
This report represents the second portion of The Heritage Foundation’s four-part “Chinese Handcuffs” series—a project that explores the CCP’s calculated strategy to control “green energy” sources and how this strategy undermines a key U.S. strategic advantage over China.  

Brent Sadler, Senior Research Fellow, Naval and Advanced Technology, at the Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for National Security and author of the report stated:  

“Energy security is national security. The Biden Administration and political Left’s transition to green energies forces the United States to become reliant on its top adversary. This type of dependence is preposterous—and would prove disastrous in the event of a conflict with China.

 

“The United States requires a self-reliant energy strategy that prioritizes its robust domestic energy sources—including natural gas, oil, and coal—as well as improved oil refineries. 

 

“My report addresses numerous concerns over the United States’ dependence on Communist China’s energy, particularly in the event of a military confrontation, as well as solutions to unleash American energy at home.”  

Below are some main takeaways from the report:  

• Attempts by the Defense Department to shift its 170,000 non-tactical vehicle fleet to electric remains a long-term endeavor, and amid Congressional concerns, does not address the military’s reliance on commercial logistics.
   
• Due to a heavy reliance on foreign sources, poor policy choices, and constrained transport of fuels, the U.S. military could be vulnerable to localized fuel shortages and Chinese economic coercion.
   
• In a war where China is likely to use all means to slow or cut U.S. domestic fuel transport, including cyber, the federal Strategic Petroleum Reserve’s locations could be cut off from where the fuel is most needed.
   
• The American industry must be freed from the distraction of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) special interests and the U.S. government must begin the process of loosening the shackles on American shipping imposed by the Jones Act and improve energy security.
   
• Recommendations to address these issues include: Ensuring America’s military has secure and readily available energy for a prolonged war by rethinking the role and management of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, building American refineries, tapping into vast domestic energy reserves, strengthening energy trade relationships with allies, and more.