Aerial view of Tesla’s Fremont factory in Fremont, California on May 13, 2020.
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electric car manufacturer Tesla was sued by district attorneys representing 25 California counties, accusing the company of improperly handling hazardous waste at facilities across the state.
Although Tesla is now headquartered in Austin, Texas, its previous headquarters was in Palo Alto, California, where it maintained its engineering headquarters. The company’s first high-volume electric vehicle factory in the world was its auto assembly plant in Fremont, California, which it still owns and operates today.
this litigationThe People of California v. Tesla Inc. case was filed Tuesday in San Joaquin County Court in California. Reuters The lawsuit was first reported.
The district attorney’s complaint alleges that Tesla “knowingly disposed of and willfully caused the disposal of hazardous waste” at locations that were “unauthorized” and did not have the appropriate equipment to handle the materials.
They also allege that Tesla frequently failed to accurately label containers of hazardous materials produced, used or stored at its facilities and failed to train employees on the proper handling of hazardous waste.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Environmental health and safety expert Eric Roesch criticizes Tesla and SpaceX in blog ESGHound Over the years, complaints were evaluated.
Roesch told CNBC, “In a complex factory like an auto plant, you may encounter the occasional violation. But this complaint shows that Tesla is not even doing anything that anyone who works in an auto body shop knows to do.” Basic things like labeling and managing waste oil, waste batteries, waste paint, anything that can seep into the groundwater.”
When asked how serious the charges were, Roesch added, “The state’s allegation that Tesla has ‘willfully’ and ‘negligently’ continued to violate environmental regulations over many years suggests that the company’s liability may extend beyond civil penalties such as fines.” scope.”
The lawsuit wasn’t entirely unexpected.in its latest financial filingPreviously, Tesla disclosed to shareholders:
“District attorneys in certain California counties have investigated Tesla’s waste separation practices under California Health and Safety Code Section 25100 et seq. and California Civil Code Section 1798.80.
Tesla has implemented various remedial measures, including conducting training and audits, as well as strengthening its on-site waste management program, and settlement discussions are ongoing. While the outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time, it is not currently expected to have a material adverse effect on our business. “
Tesla CEO Musk has repeatedly stated that the company’s mission is to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
The company said in its 2022 impact report that Tesla customers avoided approximately 13.4 million tons of carbon emissions that year, which is equivalent to driving 33 billion miles of traditional gasoline vehicles. However, Tesla has been repeatedly accused of environmental hypocrisy and lax compliance.
In 2022, Tesla paid a settlement to the EPA after the agency found that Tesla violated air toxics emission standards in Fremont, California, between 2016 and 2019.Last year, Tesla Prosecuted in Germany According to Moz.de, the company’s recently built factory in Brandenburg has been implicated in water pollution and other environmental violations. Tesla is also currently ranked 89th on the Institute of Political Economy’s list. Toxic 100 air pollutersbased on 2021 data.
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