Well, that was fast.
The settlement was reached just two days after attorneys general from 25 California counties filed a lawsuit against Tesla over allegations that the automaker repeatedly mishandled hazardous waste at its facilities across the state.
Tesla has agreed to pay $1.3 million in civil penalties and $200,000 to reimburse the costs of the investigation, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office in San Francisco. Tesla is also subject to a detailed five-year injunction, which requires it to train employees and hire a third party to conduct annual waste audits of its dumpsters at 10% of its facilities. These audits will occur every year for five years, and auditors will check trash containers for hazardous waste, according to the joint statement sent Thursday evening.
Tesla will pay for these audits as future expenses, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s (SFDA) office.
Tesla has 57 automotive service centers and 18 solar facilities throughout California. It also manufactures electric vehicles at its Fremont plant in Alameda County.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority office explained the quick resolution by indicating that the parties had reached a settlement before submitting the complaint. “The complaint and stipulated judgment were filed at the same time on Tuesday reflecting this agreement. However, the judge has not approved the settlement as of today,” an SFDA spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement.
“Although electric vehicles may benefit the environment, the manufacture and maintenance of these vehicles still generate many harmful waste streams,” San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement. “Today’s settlement against Tesla Inc. works to provide a cleaner environment for citizens across the state by preventing the pollution of our precious natural resources when hazardous waste is mismanaged and illegally disposed of. We are proud to work with our district attorney partners to enforce the laws.” California Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that this hazardous waste is handled properly.
the complaintThe filing, filed Jan. 30 in San Joaquin County Superior Court, said Tesla improperly labeled and disposed of items such as “lead-acid and other batteries,” paint, brake fluid, and aerosols. Air, antifreeze, acetone, diesel fuel and more in its production and service. Facilities all over the state. Tesla also allegedly disposed of waste improperly, both on site and in landfills that cannot accept hazardous waste, according to the lawsuits.
While the lawsuit was filed just one day ago, the environmental investigation took six years.
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Environmental Division began an investigation in 2018 when FDA investigators conducted undercover inspections of Tesla’s trash containers at its auto service centers, according to prosecutors. Inspections revealed the illegal disposal of many used hazardous automotive components such as lubricants, brake cleaners and antifreeze.
The discovery led to additional inspections at Tesla service centers and eventually to dumpsters at the automaker’s factory in Fremont, where they found illegal dumping of additional hazardous waste, including automotive sheet metal welding waste (which can contain copper). ), and paint waste. Mix cups produced during paint repair and wet wipes/debris contaminated with primer.
The SFDA office said in a joint press release that Tesla cooperated with the investigation and took steps to improve its compliance. Settlement talks were ongoing before the lawsuit was filed.