Senator Moreno urges security review of Chinese solar firm's land deal near Wright-Pat Patterson Base
Senator Bernie Moreno has asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to conduct a national-security review of SolarSpace Technology’s proposed purchase of a property close to Wright-Pat Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
In a Friday letter, Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to launch a national-security assessment of a transaction involving SolarSpace Technology Co., Ltd., a solar-cell producer headquartered in Xuzhou, China. The company intends to lease or purchase a facility at 2555 Woodman Drive in Kettering, Ohio, located about 13 miles from Wright-Pat Patterson Air Force Base, a key hub for aerospace research, engineering and intelligence.
Moreno described the deal as a grave concern, arguing the firm functions as a shell for the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to further its military and intelligence objectives. He urged that entities tied to the CCP be prohibited from acquiring property near sensitive U.S. sites. The move echoes earlier findings that Chinese entities have bought land near at least 19 U.S. bases and aligns with pending legislation by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott that would tighten CFIUS reviews of foreign real-estate purchases. Treasury officials have not yet responded to the request.
Why it matters
It highlights fears that Chinese-owned assets near U.S. military sites could enable espionage or other security threats.
In this story