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A California judge on Friday ordered Tesla Inc to pay US$1.5 million as part of the settlement of a civil case alleging the company mishandled hazardous waste at its car service centers, energy centers and a factory. Handled properly, several county district attorneys declared.
The complaint filed in San Joaquin County alleges illegal disposal of hazardous waste and violations of laws related to waste storage and management, according to statements from several of the 25 California district attorney offices involved in the case.
Tesla did not immediately respond to an Associated Press email seeking comment. Statements from the district attorneys said Tesla cooperated with the investigation and worked to improve compliance with laws brought to its attention by prosecutors.
“While electric vehicles play a role in improving the environment, it is important to recognize that their production and maintenance generates hazardous waste,” said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas.
Tesla owns and operates about 57 car service centers and 18 solar energy facilities in California, and manufactures electric vehicles in the city of Fremont in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The settlement includes USD 1.3 million in civil penalties, plus USD 200,000 to cover the costs of the investigation, staff training and third-party waste audits.
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