Blog County Officials Approve Tesla’s Safety Plan to Resume Production in Fremont

Tesla’s fight with Alameda County regarding the automaker’s factory shutdown appears to be over.

A press release issued Tuesday said Alameda County reviewed Tesla’s safety plan for employees and found it appropriate for returning workers to the Fremont factory.

“We reviewed the plan and held productive discussions today with Tesla’s representatives about their safety and prevention plans, including some additional safety recommendations,” the release said. “If Tesla’s Prevention and Control Plan includes these updates, and the public health indicators remain stable or improve, we have agreed that Tesla can begin to augment their Minimum Business Operations this week in preparation for possible reopening as soon as next week.”

Tesla started some production efforts on Monday at its Fremont, Calif. factory, days after filing a lawsuit against county officials who ordered a pause in the manufacturing line to keep employees safe from COVID-19. When California’s governor lifted restrictions, but allowed local officials to implement their own plans, Alameda County decided to keep the stay-at-home order in place, keeping the Tesla plant closed.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, who has downplayed the virus and been critical of orders to keep the factory closed, said Monday on Twitter that the factory was back to producing cars and he was willing to be arrested if officials objected.

The safety plan that seemed to satisfy officials was published Sunday by Tesla.

“Given the Governor’s recent guidance, which is supported by science and credible health data, the state and federal government’s classification of vehicle manufacturing as national critical infrastructure, and our robust safety plan, Tesla has started the process of resuming operations,” the blog post said. “Our employees are excited to get back to work, and we’re doing so with their health and safety in mind.”

The Alameda County press release said that additional approved activities for local businesses, including Tesla, will go into effect next week. 

 

[Brovane]

In any case, Tesla didn't even submit plan for county review until Monday so the county could not approved before then.

How do you know this for sure?

 

[mikes_fsd]

How do you know this for sure?

Clearly he doesn't know, since Alameda provided an answer about that saying that Tesla needed a specific Fremont plan, the plan they published was for ALL Tesla sites.


http://www.acphd.org/media/576254/press-release-2020.05.13.pdf

 

[Tam]

...So why didn't the Sheriff enforce it?...

The Sheriff has been enforcing the law by visiting the factory and reporting back to the county.

Like most other counties, Alameda honors the Governor's way of enforcement by peer pressure rather than through the use of law enforcement.

‘Ambiguity’ of Newsom’s stay-at-home order takes Stanislaus County officials by surprise

Police taking soft approach to COVID-19 shelter enforcement

Those who think CA is a fascist state were disappointed because they don't see any National Guards arresting violators. And in this case, they would be also disappointed waiting for the Sheriff to arrest Elon Musk because they are not educated with the Governor's way of enforcement: peer pressure.

The county conducts the reopening process in a civilized manner throughout the negotiation.

Tesla sabotaged the process by openly exhibiting its lawlessness action in front of the public.

 

[Brovane]

The Sheriff has been enforcing the law by visiting the factory and reporting back to the county.

Like most other counties, Alameda honors the Governor's way of enforcement by peer pressure rather than through the use of law enforcement.

‘Ambiguity’ of Newsom’s stay-at-home order takes Stanislaus County officials by surprise

Police taking soft approach to COVID-19 shelter enforcement

Those who think CA is a fascist state were disappointed because they don't see any National Guards arresting violators. And in this case, they would be also disappointed waiting for the Sheriff to arrest Elon Musk because they are not educated with the Governor's way of enforcement: peer pressure.

The county conducts the reopening process in a civilized manner throughout the negotiation.

Tesla sabotaged the process by openly exhibiting its lawlessness action in front of the public.

So Tesla blatantly started the factory up and LE took no action to shut Tesla down. What type of message does this send? If you are a large enough company you can just ignore the order? Peer pressure from who?

 

[Tam]

...Peer pressure from who?

Other Auto companies in the US are approved to reopen on Monday, May 18th, 2020 which is too much peer pressure for Tesla to adhere to.

Tesla has to beat that agreed deadline 1-week headstart.

 

[cali8484]

How do you know this for sure?

County statement on May 12 indicates they received site-specific plan the previous day (Monday, May 11)
Alameda County Public Health Department on Twitter

 

[cali8484]

So why didn't the Sheriff enforce it? At anytime the Fremont PD or the Alameda County Sheriff Department could have gone to the factory and enforced the order. However they didn't. Which could means the county has realized the quarantine laws could be on shaky legal grounds constitutionally and they don't want a judge ruling they are invalid.

How do you know that?

 

[Tam]

...So Tesla blatantly started the factory up and LE took no action to shut Tesla down. What type of message does this send?

"...the county told Tesla earlier in the day to stop manufacturing at its Fremont plant, the strongest step local government has taken to check the electric car maker’s defiance of health orders."

The message is: In a civilized world, a letter of reprimand is enough.

 

[cali8484]

Clearly he doesn't know, since Alameda provided an answer about that saying that Tesla needed a specific Fremont plan, the plan they published was for ALL Tesla sites.


http://www.acphd.org/media/576254/press-release-2020.05.13.pdf

Did you actually read it? The answer for #1 states " The plan Tesla submitted to the County on Monday, May 11 was specific to their Fremont location in Alameda County."

 

[jboy210]

So why didn't the Sheriff enforce it? At anytime the Fremont PD or the Alameda County Sheriff Department could have gone to the factory and enforced the order. However they didn't. Which could means the county has realized the quarantine laws could be on shaky legal grounds constitutionally and they don't want a judge ruling they are invalid.

According to Scott Hagerty (Al Co Supervisor) they were already negotiating with Tesla on reopening when Elon when on his twitter triad. I think this was a bit of a negotiating ploy plus a way for Elon to dangle more shiny objects in front of states to get concessions for the next Gigafactory. My thought is whoever gets the CyberTruck factory is going to have pay a price in money, permits, and perhaps changes to their laws to allow direct vehicle sales.

 

[Electric700]

Very thankful the county approved the plan and Tesla has restarted production!

 

[Killroy]

I wonder what happens to the lawsuit now. Does Alameda now pay Tesla's legal fees?

Lawsuit is challenging Alameda Counties authority to shut down Tesla. I'm not a lawyer, but it does not look good for Alameda.

I'm glad that Tesla is ramping back up. Just like everyone, I hope everyone is really good with their physical distance, hand washing and wearings masks.