Gallagher, Rubio, Murphy on Duke Energy's Decision to Decommission Camp Lejeune CATL Battery Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement after Duke Energy agreed to decommission the CATL battery storage systems at Camp Lejeune following conversations between Duke Energy's leadership team and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

“In December 2023, we approached Duke Energy regarding its use of Chinese-manufactured CATL batteries and network-equipped systems, which posed an unacceptable surveillance risk at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina—the largest Marine Base in the United States. Directly following our inquiry, Duke disconnected the Chinese-manufactured systems from the grid. Following discussions with company leaders, we are pleased that Duke Energy has committed to decommission the CATL battery storage system at Camp Lejeune and will instead install an American alternative. Additionally, in our most recent meeting with company leadership, Duke committed to entirely phasing out CATL products from its supply chain. We are grateful to Duke for taking this needed first step to protect U.S. grid security from Chinese Communist Party-controlled companies operating in Americans’ backyard. Others that continue to work with CATL, and other companies under the control of the CCP, should take note.”

In 2022, Duke Energy was awarded a $22 million energy contract by Camp Lejeune for the design and construction of several projects, including a CATL battery energy storage system. Chairman Gallagher and Senator Rubio, among other lawmakers, raised concerns about the project. The Select Committee held additional conversations with Duke Energy expressing concern about its CATL battery storage systems at Camp Lejeune, citing CATL's close ties to human rights abuses in China.

Chairman Gallagher also recently uncovered CATL's close ties to at least four Chinese companies that supply IT tools to the Chinese military, the CCP's ongoing Uyghur genocide, and China’s Ministry of Public Security.

Upon learning of the decommissioning, Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), who represents the district in North Carolina where Camp Lejeune is located, said, "I appreciate that Duke Energy came to the right decision to remove all Chinese-manufactured battery components from Camp Lejeune and commit to sourcing material from only the United States or allied nations for future projects. Protecting our military instillations and critical infrastructure against cyber threats is essential to our nation’s security. The world is in a period of heightened aggression, and we must remain vigilant of all potential threats. I am grateful for Duke Energy’s willing collaboration and for Chairmen Gallagher and Rubio’s efforts to crack down on the CCP’s influence in our country and to protect our troops.”