Tesla has been sued by 25 California counties, alleging that the automaker repeatedly mishandled hazardous waste at facilities across the state. The lawsuit was filed months after settlement talks apparently collapsed.
the complaint, filed in San Joaquin County Superior Court, states that Tesla improperly labeled and disposed of items such as “lead-acid and other batteries,” paints, brake fluid, aerosols, antifreeze, acetone, and diesel fuel. and more at its production and service facilities across the state. Tesla is also alleged to have improperly disposed of waste, both on site and in landfills that cannot accept hazardous waste.
Prosecutors in each county are seeking an injunction to force Tesla to properly handle waste at facilities in the future in addition to civil penalties. Tesla could face a fine of up to $70,000 per violation per day. According to ReutersWhich first reported the lawsuit.
Tesla is first unveiled in 2022 Deposit With the Securities and Exchange Commission it has been investigated by district attorney’s offices throughout California regarding its waste management practices. The company said it had “implemented various remedial measures, including conducting training and audits, and improving waste management programs at its site.”
In October 2023, the company He said She was in settlement talks with the district attorney’s offices. The lawsuit indicates that those talks ended without reaching a solution. Representatives of the San Francisco and San Joaquin district attorney’s offices, which led the investigation, did not immediately respond to a question about what happened to the settlement talks.
Tesla has previously come under scrutiny regarding the environmental impact of its work in California. Company Settlement With the EPA in 2019 over a number of violations at its Fremont, California, plant, one of which involved the labeling of hazardous waste. This resulted in a $31,000 fine and a $55,000 plan to cover the cost of emergency response equipment for first responders. Tesla also paid a $275,000 fine in 2022 for violating the Clean Air Act at the same factory.