A California judge ordered Tesla Inc. to pay $1.5 million as part of a legal settlement involving allegations that the firm mismanaged hazardous trash at its auto repair centers, energy centers, and a factory, according to several county district attorneys.
According to statements from many of California’s 25 district attorney offices engaged in the case, the lawsuit filed in San Joaquin County charged improper hazardous waste dumping as well as violations of laws governing waste storage and management.
Tesla did not immediately respond to an email from the Associated Press requesting comment. According to the district attorneys’ remarks, Tesla cooperated with the inquiry and took steps to enhance compliance with the laws brought to its attention by prosecutors.
“Electric vehicles play a role in environmental improvement, but it is critical to recognize that their manufacturing and maintenance generate harmful waste,” stated San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas.
What is the matter?
Following an investigation launched in 2018 by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, authorities stated that Tesla improperly disposed of hazardous waste created during Tesla car repair and manufacture.
Prosecutors claimed the disposals took place at Tesla’s auto repair centers, energy centers, and plant in Fremont. Lubricating oils, brake cleaners, used lead acid batteries and other batteries, used aerosols, used antifreeze, waste solvents and cleaners, electronic trash, waste paint, and contaminated debris were among the hazardous elements under question.
Following the discovery of the original unlawful disposals, D.A. investigators in San Diego County and elsewhere identified comparable events in their jurisdictions, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
“Our Environmental Unit continues to hold companies accountable when they fail to follow laws designed to keep our environment clean and safe,” San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. “Cooperation and coordination with district attorney offices up and down the state have again resulted in a judgement that will not only stop these illegal practices but also stop it from happening again in the future.”
Along with monetary penalties, Tesla will be compelled to employ a third party to undertake yearly waste audits of garbage bins at 10% of its sites. The audits will take place on an annual basis for the next five years. Tesla owns and runs over 57 auto service centers across the state, including three in San Diego County.
What did Tesla reply?
Tesla has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve a lawsuit launched earlier this week by 25 California counties accusing the electric vehicle manufacturer of mishandling hazardous trash at its locations around the state.
Tesla did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Friday.
The corporation, which did not acknowledge wrongdoing in the settlement, agreed to pay a $1.3 million civil penalty and $200,000 to repay the counties for investigative costs. It also promised to make efforts to appropriately manage garbage and appoint a third-party auditor to review its waste procedures over a five-year period.
The complaint claimed that the corporation violated state unfair business practices and hazardous waste management rules at up to 101 locations, including Tesla’s Fremont manufacturing factory. In 2019, the firm struck an agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency to resolve allegations of federal hazardous waste breaches at its Fremont plant. Tesla agreed to make efforts to appropriately manage trash at the factory in exchange for a $31,000 punishment.
Tesla eventually struck an agreement with the EPA in 2022, agreeing to pay a $275,000 penalty after the agency accused the business of failing to retain records and follow efforts to reduce air pollution from painting activities at the Fremont factory.
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