It’s a battery factory that was built there despite environmental concerns.
I think the main things that attracted the ire of environmentalists are:
When the building permits were still being negotiated, Tesla just started clearing land illegally
A battery factory requires lots of water, this one was built in a region already low on groundwater
There have been several instances of spilled chemicals
The sewage coming out of the factory has been contaminated (phosphorus and nitrogen) beyond allowed thresholds for two years
The local water supply company is reportedly near its limit, but Tesla wants to expand the battery factory and clear additional land
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But the situation is a bit muddy. Early protests around 2021…2022 often had a share of far right wingnuts trying to recruit people. That’s lessened, though. This specific protest was definitely swelled in numbers by the factory expansion and land clearing plans, but is also part of a planned day of protests by the “Disrupt Tesla” group. They have a web presence here: https://disrupt-now.org/en/.
It’s a battery factory that was built there despite environmental concerns.
I think the main things that attracted the ire of environmentalists are:
.
But the situation is a bit muddy. Early protests around 2021…2022 often had a share of far right wingnuts trying to recruit people. That’s lessened, though. This specific protest was definitely swelled in numbers by the factory expansion and land clearing plans, but is also part of a planned day of protests by the “Disrupt Tesla” group. They have a web presence here: https://disrupt-now.org/en/.