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Tesla has reached an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency on violations of hazardous waste discovered at the company's Fremont, Calif. Plant. Tesla has agreed to pay a fine of $ 31,000 and as part of the settlement, it will also purchase $ 55,000 worth of emergency response equipment for the Fremont Fire Department.
The EPA claims to have carried out "unannounced inspections" with the California Toxic Substances Control Department (DTSC) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in Toronto. Tesla's Fremont factory in 2017. and Recovery Act (RCRA), a set of regulations developed in 1976 that gives the agency "the power to control hazardous waste from" cradle to grave "", according to the EPA website.
Tesla has not complied with RCRA regulations in three ways, according to the EPA. Tesla: failed to meet air emission standards for equipment leaks, management requirements for hazardous waste generators, and failed to adequately identify hazardous waste for certain solid waste generated in the facility. The EPA did not detail how Tesla failed to comply with the regulations in each of these cases. The Fremont Fire Services, DTSC and BAAQMD did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
Tesla said in an email to The edge that he has answered all the questions raised by the inspections. "In the 16 months since the EPA visit, Tesla has made great strides in its environmental program and continued respect by Laurie Shelby, our vice president of environment, health and security, "said a spokesman for the company. "We are delighted to have worked with EPA Region 9 and are particularly proud that the city of Fremont has the agreed settlement."
This is not the first time the EPA has fined Tesla. The company was fined $ 275,000 in a settlement reached in 2010 after failing to obtain the appropriate certification for the original Tesla Roadster. Tesla also paid a $ 139,500 fine to the BAAQMD in 2018 for pollution from the Fremont factory.
Tesla has also been in trouble with other government agencies. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA) fined $ 71,000 in 2013 after three employees were burned by molten aluminum. Cal-OSHA also fined Tesla $ 29,365 earlier this year for highlighting security risks discovered in the company's built-in outdoor tent in 2018, where the 3 models are assembled. The workplace safety agency reportedly opened other investigations.
Tesla has also been repeatedly criticized for its workplace safety practices. The Center for Investigation Report has published numerous investigative reports citing allegations of lax safety standards and underreported injuries. Four unnamed employees also said Bloomberg in 2018 (during the most critical months of the Model 3 production ramp), they were charged by the officials to cross the wastewater in the plant. In each case, Tesla stated that he was unaware of the allegations or immediately rejected them.
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