EXPOSED: Chinese Communist Party Infiltrates US Green Energy Through San Francisco Nonprofit

Paul Riverbank, 6/17/2025Investigation reveals Chinese Communist Party's concerning influence over US green energy through nonprofit organization.

Let's be clear about what we're seeing. This San Francisco-based nonprofit, which has poured millions into climate advocacy, isn't just another environmental organization. Its ties to Beijing raise troubling questions about foreign influence in American energy policy. I've spent months examining financial records and speaking with security experts, and the pattern is impossible to ignore.

Consider this: EFC's current CEO, Ji Zou, comes straight from the ranks of the Chinese Communist Party. That alone might raise eyebrows, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. The organization has methodically built influence across American academia, funding research at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Berkeley. They're not hiding – they're hosting high-profile events featuring U.S. politicians.

What really caught my attention was a recent State Armor report about Chinese-made solar equipment. They found unauthorized communication devices embedded in infrastructure components already installed across America. Think about that for a moment. We're not just talking about theoretical risks anymore.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put it bluntly at the Shangri-La Dialogue: "The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent." The Pentagon isn't just talking – they're acting. They're pouring $10 billion into the biggest military expansion in the Pacific since World War II. New bases in the Philippines, major upgrades in Guam... the scale is stunning.

But here's what keeps me up at night: Chinese climate envoy Zhenmin Liu's 2016 prediction. He said American dependence on Chinese green technology would persist regardless of who sat in the White House. At the time, it seemed like diplomatic posturing. Now? It looks more like a strategic roadmap.

I've watched environmental groups struggle with this reality. Many are realizing their well-intentioned advocacy might be advancing Beijing's interests. Will Hild from Consumers Research didn't mince words when he told me, "Energy Foundation China is covertly trying to destroy American energy independence."

The path forward isn't simple. We can't abandon environmental progress – climate change remains a critical challenge. But we need to be clear-eyed about who's influencing our policies and why. The stakes are too high for anything less than complete transparency.

From where I sit, this isn't just about energy policy or national security – it's about maintaining American sovereignty in an era of unprecedented global competition. The solution will require something that's in short supply these days: nuanced thinking and bipartisan cooperation.

The intersection of environmental policy and national security has rarely been more complex – or more concerning. As I've tracked the growing influence of Chinese interests in U.S. energy policy over the past decade, one organization keeps surfacing: Energy Foundation China.Let's be clear about what we're seeing. This San Francisco-based nonprofit, which has poured millions into climate advocacy, isn't just another environmental organization. Its ties to Beijing raise troubling questions about foreign influence in American energy policy. I've spent months examining financial records and speaking with security experts, and the pattern is impossible to ignore.Consider this: EFC's current CEO, Ji Zou, comes straight from the ranks of the Chinese Communist Party. That alone might raise eyebrows, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. The organization has methodically built influence across American academia, funding research at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Berkeley. They're not hiding – they're hosting high-profile events featuring U.S. politicians.What really caught my attention was a recent State Armor report about Chinese-made solar equipment. They found unauthorized communication devices embedded in infrastructure components already installed across America. Think about that for a moment. We're not just talking about theoretical risks anymore.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put it bluntly at the Shangri-La Dialogue: "The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent." The Pentagon isn't just talking – they're acting. They're pouring $10 billion into the biggest military expansion in the Pacific since World War II. New bases in the Philippines, major upgrades in Guam... the scale is stunning.But here's what keeps me up at night: Chinese climate envoy Zhenmin Liu's 2016 prediction. He said American dependence on Chinese green technology would persist regardless of who sat in the White House. At the time, it seemed like diplomatic posturing. Now? It looks more like a strategic roadmap.I've watched environmental groups struggle with this reality. Many are realizing their well-intentioned advocacy might be advancing Beijing's interests. Will Hild from Consumers Research didn't mince words when he told me, "Energy Foundation China is covertly trying to destroy American energy independence."The path forward isn't simple. We can't abandon environmental progress – climate change remains a critical challenge. But we need to be clear-eyed about who's influencing our policies and why. The stakes are too high for anything less than complete transparency.From where I sit, this isn't just about energy policy or national security – it's about maintaining American sovereignty in an era of unprecedented global competition. The solution will require something that's in short supply these days: nuanced thinking and bipartisan cooperation.