Tesla Ordered to Stop Work on Berlin Factory over Environmental Concerns

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Tesla's Plans for a European Gigafactory Hit a Speed Bump over the weekend.

A German Court, The Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Bradenburg, Ruled Saturday that Tesla must Temporarily Halt the Deforestation that was Underway to make Space for its New Factory Manufacturing Plant while it considers Objections from the Environmental Group Grüne Liga (Green League).

Brandenburg Economy Minister Jöerg Steinbach said the Court gave Tesla and Local Officials until Midday Tuesday to Respond to the Ruling.

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, announced the Plans for the 300-hectare site in November last year, and Tesla says on its Website it aims to begin Production in 2021. The German Newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported that Tesla will invest up to €4 Billion ($4.3 Billion) into the Factory.

The BBC Reports Tesla had Not yet been Granted Permission to Build the Factory, but had been given Permission to make Site Preparations at its Own Risk.

"The Tesla plant has not yet been approved, and there is a legal requirement for an early release of the building specifications which clearly hasn't been met in this case," said Dirk Tessmer, the Lawyer for Grüne Liga who brought the Case, in a Statement. Grüne Liga contests the Factory could Threaten the Area's Drinking Water.

"This ruling shows Tesla is not above the law," added Local Grüne Liga Chair Heinz-Herwig Mascher.

The Court is expected to reach a Decision on Friday Feb. 21st.

If Tesla doesn’t Clear All the Trees by Mid-March before the Wildlife Breeding Period, Construction could be Delayed by Six to Nine Months, Local Officials have Warned. Tesla Argued the Site is an “inferior” Pine Forest that was Planted to be Harvested in The First Place.

Local Activists have also voiced Concerns that the Deforestation could threaten Local Wildlife, including a particularly Vulnerable Species of Bat.

On its website, Tesla says it Plans to Replant an Area Three Times as Large as the Factory Site. "We are also working to ensure plenty of clean drinking water through water-saving measures in the factory as well as a structural solution with and for the community in the medium term," it says.










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