Tesla Agrees To Pay USD 750,000 For Air Quality Violations In California; to build solar micro grid system

Electric car manufacturer Tesla has agreed to pay a fine of USD 750,000 in order to settle air quality violations. Tesla was found violating air quality norms at its Fremont California plant, an official said. According to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, there are around 33 settlement notices of violations against Tesla. Some of them are dated way back to 2015. Some of these notices were served for failing to conduct required emissions testing and modifying or installing equipment without proper permits. It even failed to report information in a time bound manner to the Air District.

But Tesla has now fixed the violations. The company is even back to compliance. While both sides mutually agreed upon the fine amount of USD 1 million, a spokesperson of the company said that it will give USD 750,000 directly to the general operating fund of the air district. The EV manufacturer will receive USD 250,000 credit after the completion of community micro grid system installation. This will also include rooftop solar panels. The program is to take measures so that air quality can be improved in the Bay Area.

“The other goal of the project is to cut down the cost of electricity,” said Tesla. But the area in which micro grid will be installed is yet to be determined. The settlement reached with the air quality district will make sure that Tesla is going to put in place a comprehensive environmental management system. This will make sure that the company will remain committed to environmental requirements. But the air quality office has yet to decide the deadline for Tesla to complete the project. Earlier in 2021, Tesla had a battle with public officials in Fremont. The company found itself in trouble for not fulfilling the requirements of the pandemic shutdown. Elon Musk later threatened to shift the Tesla headquarters out of California. But now it is awaiting permits to expand its Fremont plant.