From BZ/dpa
The expansion of the Tesla factory in Grünheide near Berlin continues to cause protests. According to the organizing citizens’ initiatives, around 200 people from Grünheide and the surrounding area expressed their displeasure at the expansion of the factory near Berlin on Saturday.
The non-compliance with environmental standards, the second stage of expansion and the expansion of the area by the US electric car manufacturer were criticized. The Green League, the Brandenburg Nature Conservation Union and the Grünheide Citizens’ Initiative were also among the participants. “The process of Tesla settlement was completely undemocratic,” said Thomas Wötzel from the citizens’ initiative. “We demand a public survey on the further development of Tesla at the Grünheide site.”
Tesla wants to increase its production in Grünheide near Berlin. According to the company, the next expansion stage is currently being prepared on the existing site in order to increase capacity. In addition, the clearing of 70 hectares of pine forest was approved. Tesla is preparing an application for the expansion. This also requires a new environmental law procedure.
Clearing vehicles are parked in a wooded area on the Tesla site. The US electric car manufacturer Tesla wants to expand its production in Grünheide near Berlin and clear around 70 hectares of pine forest for this purpose Photo: picture alliance/dpa
It was initially unclear how extensive the expansion would be. Tesla spoke of additional production capacity in the northern part of the site. If Tesla submits an application for an expansion of the immission control operation, the State Office for the Environment will examine this application, the Ministry of the Environment announced.
Even with the existing production in the plant, environmental regulations would not be met, according to speakers at a protest rally on the market square in Grünheide on Saturday. There are always disruptions to operations. “Tesla doesn’t have production under control. Numerous accidents poison our environment. Every expansion of the Gigafactory exacerbates the situation,” said Manu Hoyer from the Grünheide citizens’ initiative.
“Tesla makes no contribution to environmental and climate protection. With every Tesla that is built, the CO2 emissions go up,” criticized the managing director of the NABU state association, Christiane Schröder. The conservationists are calling for a “moratorium on deforestation”.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the expansion of the plant for the production of motor vehicles is planned on an area that is within the legal development plan. It was already in the planning that the entire area of this development plan would be used by Tesla to build the vehicle factory in several expansion stages. “The nature conservation tests have taken place for this area,” said ministry spokeswoman Frauke Zelt when asked.
According to Tesla, it currently employs more than 7,000 people. Later there will be 12,000 employees, with the expansion there would be even more. In the coming week (December 8th), the Grünheide municipal council wants to discuss the preparation of a development plan for the expansion of the Tesla site.