Splashdown for Tesla in Grünheide: Community Protests Water Use
Protesters rally against Tesla's water usage practices - Coalition demonstrates against Tesla's water consumption practices
Wave some red flags, y'all! The group "Turn Water Away from Tesla" is stirring up a storm over Tesla's planned water agreement in Grünheide, Germany. A crowd of about a dozen Tesla critics vented their grievances on the sidelines of a meeting for the Strausberg-Erkner water association. They squabbled against a proposed agreement with the water supplier for Tesla, fearing environmental and possibly health implications.
These protestors hoisted banners reading "Tesla Out"—or, depending on your perspective, "Turn Water Away from Tesla"—and "We're staying put!" Some pointed a finger at Tesla for jeopardizing the water protection area, and fretted about future consequences for the drinking water supply. The rally was kept civil, according to authorities.
Tesla insists that the water consumption at their Grünheide facility in Brandenburg is actually below the industry average for electric car fabrication [1]. The company boasts that they recycle up to 100% of their wastewater from the production process.
The proposed water agreement includes higher limit values for wastewater pollution from the Grünheide plant, but it's still under review at Tesla [2]. The company has yet to comment on the matter. There's been no indication of major roadblocks, and as of today, there's no missing signature on the agreement [3].
Tesla's single European plant, supervised by CEO Elon Musk, has been churning out electric cars in Grünheide since March 2022. The plant's infrastructure has sparked protests, reaching a boiling point towards the end of last year with an attack on the power supply and an attempt to breach the site. A protest camp was shuttered late last year after months of squatting.
[1] - Water Usage and Pollution by Tesla's Grünheide Plant[2] - Regulatory Challenges for Tesla's Grünheide Plant in Germany[3] - The Missing Signature on Tesla's Grünheide Water Agreement[4] - Environmental Concerns Over Tesla's Grünheide Plant and Future Expansion[5] - Criticisms from German Trade Union IG Metall Regarding Tesla's Practices in Grünheide
- The ongoing protest against Tesla's water agreement in Grünheide, Germany, has raised concerns about the potential impact on environmental science, particularly climate-change and with respect to the water protection area.
- The company's employment policy is under scrutiny, as Tesla insists its water consumption for electric car fabrication in Grünheide is below the industry average, while recycling up to 100% of wastewater from the production process.
- In the discussion of Tesla's Grünheide plant, there have been criticisms from various quarters, including the German trade union IG Metall and the local community, raising questions about the plant's potential effects on the industry, finance, and energy sectors, as well as the environment.
