As of: March 1, 2024, 4:50 p.m
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The entrance to the Tesla “Gigafactory” in Grünheide.
© Christophe Gateau/dpa/archive image
The municipalities of the water association WSE actually wanted to decide how they would deal with the exceeded limit values of the electric car manufacturer Tesla in its wastewater.
But things turned out differently.
Strausberg - In the conflict over limit values exceeded by the electric car manufacturer Tesla in its wastewater, a decision by the members of the Strausberg-Erkner Water Association (WSE) is still pending.
The resolution submitted by association head André Bähler to stop the collection of wastewater because limit values were exceeded was postponed.
The background to the postponement initially remained unclear.
However, the outcome of the special meeting of the 16 member municipalities had an immediate consequence: the head of the association assembly resigned.
WSE resolution proposal: Tesla exceeds wastewater limits
The WSE actually wanted to discuss at its extraordinary association meeting whether it would stop wastewater disposal at Tesla.
Tesla is threatened with additional costs amounting to millions.
In addition, there could be a stop to the disposal of all association wastewater in the Münchehofe sewage treatment plant.
A WSE resolution shows that Tesla “constantly and significantly” exceeds wastewater limits.
This applies to the values for refractory phosphorus and total nitrogen.
However, the decision was postponed for unknown reasons.
Head of the association assembly resigns
After the decision to postpone, the chairman of the association meeting, Henryk Pilz, resigned with immediate effect.
Pilz, who is also mayor of the small town of Erkner, told the German Press Agency: “I am no longer prepared to represent the association meeting externally in this constellation.” Against the background of a warning from the US electric car manufacturer to the WSE about one Pilz reacted to the wastewater disposal ban on Thursday with the words: “They are welcome to rattle their sabers, they have to deliver.
Point".
There are no special regulations for the WSE as a supplier and waste disposal company.
Tesla now has to do its homework.
Tesla had warned WSE about stopping waste disposal
In a letter from Tesla to the Strausberg-Erkner Water Association (WSE), Elon Musk's company had previously warned of a stop to wastewater disposal.
“You are aware that stopping the discharge of the Gigafactory’s wastewater would lead to a stop in production at the Gigafactory.
Such a decision causes millions of dollars in damage every day,” said a letter to WSE boss André Bähler and the chairman of the association meeting, Pilz, which was available to the dpa.
Meanwhile, according to official measurements, the responsible authorities see that certain wastewater limit values are being exceeded - but there is no danger to the population.
According to information from the German Press Agency, the value for phosphorus has been five times above the official limit since the factory opened almost two years ago, and there were four excesses in relation to the contract with the Strausberg-Erkner water association.
The values are based on Tesla's own measurements, which are available to the district.
“Due to the substances for which an excess is said to have occurred - refractory phosphorus and nitrogen - risks to health and the public drinking water supply can be ruled out,” says the Oder-Spree district.
The “Stern” had reported that in measurements carried out on behalf of the water association, Tesla exceeded the phosphorus limit 40 times - although this was based on a different limit than the official one.
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Grünheide's mayor focuses on problem solving
The mayor of Grünheide, Arne Christiani, wants to look ahead after the association meeting.
There were clear announcements in all directions about what needed to be done, said Christiani, who was represented at the meeting by his deputy.
“Now there is a lot of work to be done to solve the problem.
And we need a new chairman.”
“The problem is not solved with the postponement,” said spokesman Steffen Schorcht.
The Grünheide citizens' initiative demands, among other things, that Tesla release water again in the region because of 100% water recycling.
According to Schorcht, water is becoming increasingly scarce in the region for industrial and commercial settlements.
The Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP) is demanding the closure of the sewage pipeline, a production stop and stricter environmental regulations.
Left-wing parliamentary group leader Sebastian Walter sharply criticized Tesla's actions.
Trust will be destroyed.
He called for Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) to get involved.
“(...)Woidke finally has to stop and take responsibility.
Tesla finally has to stick to the rules!” wrote Walter on the X. dpa platform