The more than 500 seats in the town hall for the discussion of the 1,073 objections to Tesla’s plans remained almost empty on Monday Photo: MICHAEL SAUERBIER
By Michael Sauerbier
There were more than 1,000 objections to the planned expansion of the Tesla factory. But hardly any critics showed up at the hearing on Monday. Because of the boycott, the giant hall remained empty.
Brandenburg’s State Environment Agency had placed 500 chairs in the Erkner town hall, seven kilometers away from Tesla’s gigafactory. The US company wants to double its production in Grünheide to one million cars a year: Germany’s largest car factory!
The hall was full for the first hearing before the Tesla launch. The Environment Agency has now received 1,073 objections. Only five percent from Grünheide, but 50 percent from Berlin. The nature conservation associations made the most extensive objections. But they stay away from the hearing.
Michael Ganschow from the Green League boycotted the hearing along with other nature conservation associations Photo: dpa picture alliance#
“Significant parts of the Tesla application are blacked out,” complained Green League boss Michael Ganschow in front of the hall, “that’s why we’re not going in.” Tesla has also changed its plans again. That is why the water supplier WSE did not take part.
Only 23 of the 500 chairs were occupied, and after the lunch break there were only six objectors left. Twelve Tesla bosses rejected their criticism. Water consumption? “It doesn’t rise.” Accidents? “One too many.” Sound and pollutant pollution? “Decrease quickly beyond the factory premises.”
The Environmental Protection Agency also justified Tesla’s plan – even ramming 81,200 concrete piles into the ground in the water protection area. In the summer, the office called it “not suitable for approval”. Now it says: This number would only be the worst case. The expansion will probably be approved – with many conditions.
“A farce,” complained Green League leader Ganschow. Also because the hearing took place on the first day of the fall break. The ghost event will continue in the empty hall on Tuesday.