By Jeffrey A. Newman
China is the world’s leading supplier of advanced electric grid components for ultrea high voltage systems including transformers, crcuit brekakers and inverters. Last year, the Wall street Journal wrote that U.S. officials seized a Chinese-built transformer that was suspected to distance adversaries to monitor and disable it. Cybersecurity expert Joseph Weiss told the paper that eklectronic parts on the transformer could secretly allow the Chinese to gain control of the transformers and that of 2001, China was caught tryuing to hack into the U.S. grid in California.
In 2019 a larger Chinese transformer was seized by the Department of Energy in Houston. It was put under natrionakl escort to a research lab in the U.S. According to a report, an official reported that they found a pre-installed hardware back door that would allow a remote person to switch it off. It is estimated that there are approximately 300 or more such transformers in the U.S. electric grid. Inhis first term, President Trump signed an Executive Order to deal with the issue May 1, 2020. Mr. Weiss has confirmed that the transporter in question was taken to the lab and the findings. A preponderance of our largest transformers in the grid are Chinese made. These transformers are responsible for transporting 60-70% of our electricity. They are 20 feet tall, multi million dollar machines. Of the total number of transformers, there are over 200 of them that are the largest transformers made in China and of concern. One of thes transformers accounts for 10% of the power to New York City. Much of the same technologies, from China are used in many other industries here.
The information noted above comes from published articles or statements made publicly by such experts as Joseph Weiss. What is Congress doing about this issue? stay tuned.
Jeff Newman JD MBA, represents whistleblowers nationwide relating to major tariff fraud concerning imported Chinese goods as well as Medicare and Medicaid fraud cases under the False Claims Act (Qui Tam), and SEC, IRS and FINCEN whistleblower programs. He can be reached at Jeff@JeffNewmanLaw.com or at 617-823-3217
