Elon Musk is at the helm of companies focused on producing electric vehicles and solar technology, purportedly aimed at combating pollution and climate change. However, these enterprises have attracted scrutiny from regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They have been cited for various legal breaches, ranging from allegations of improper hazardous waste management by Tesla to SpaceX’s environmental impact on wetlands. With the support of former President Donald Trump, Musk is now implementing significant changes to the federal regulatory body responsible for environmental law enforcement in the U.S.
Information obtained by Technology News from internal EPA documents indicate that Tesla has faced numerous enforcement actions for violations of the Clean Air Act and federal hazardous waste regulations between 2015 and early 2023. The documents also reveal multiple EPA actions against SpaceX linked to violations of the Clean Water Act since 2015.
After investing heavily in Trump’s reelection campaign, Musk initiated the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aimed at reducing federal spending by cutting staff, including those at agencies responsible for ensuring corporate compliance with environmental regulations. The EPA was among the first agencies targeted for substantial workforce reductions and reduced operational capacity.
The capacity of the agency to enforce environmental laws has been compromised, warn both current and former EPA officials along with environmental experts. With a billionaire exerting influence over the agency, its watchdog role over pollution is significantly curtailed.
The agency’s ability to hold polluters accountable is at stake
Mary Nichols, a prominent environmental attorney, stated, “He’s acting as a lone ranger, engaging in whatever suits him while Trump allows it. His actions seem motivated by a desire to dismantle regulatory frameworks that have posed obstacles for him, such as fines and citations for violations.”
Hazardous Waste at Tesla
Investigations by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office in 2018 uncovered that Tesla improperly disposed of hazardous automotive materials.
The waste identified was common in the automotive industry, including used oils, batteries, and solvents, the mishandling of which poses significant health and environmental hazards due to their toxic and flammable nature.
Other counties reported similar unlawful disposals at several Tesla facilities, including the Fremont factory, where hazardous debris was allegedly improperly discarded.
Such allegations point to a pervasive issue regarding Tesla’s management of hazardous waste over the years, according to experts, especially following Tesla’s agreement to a $1.5 million settlement with multiple counties last year, which included no admission of guilt.
In 2019, another settlement with the EPA addressed hazardous waste violations at the Fremont plant, including non-compliance with emission standards, resulting in a $31,000 fine along with obligations to enhance emergency response measures.
Despite assertions from the EPA that Tesla made corrections, ongoing violations continued, leading to over 112 notices from a regional authority for emission infringements between 2019 and 2024.
“Honestly, the biggest problem is the willful ignoring of the law.”
EPA representatives provided details on a settlement related to violations of the Clean Air Act, which noted Tesla’s failures to manage emission levels adequately. Documentation indicated that Tesla neglected to implement necessary compliance measures.
Following each infringement settlement, Tesla claimed it took corrective steps, yet the EPA continued to issue violation notices. This sustained scrutiny raises concerns over Tesla’s compliance culture within its operational framework.
Water Contamination at SpaceX
SpaceX, another company under Musk’s purview, has also faced environmental scrutiny. Records from the internal EPA database reveal several enforcement actions related to the Clean Water Act in 2024, corroborated by reports from state regulators.
Environmental assessments have found that SpaceX violated regulations by discharging industrial wastewater without proper approvals, a contender in the larger narrative of Musk’s companies experiencing increasing regulatory scrutiny.
The company has been criticized for circumventing necessary permitting processes in its rush to develop launch facilities, impacting surrounding ecosystems and prompting concerns among environmental experts.
Among the troubling findings was the company’s release of large volumes of wastewater into local wetlands, raising alarms about potential ecological harm.
Documents from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reveal that SpaceX faced penalties for failing to acquire the necessary permits for discharging industrial wastewater. The company was cited for unauthorized releases multiple times in the past year.
In March, the EPA mandated SpaceX eliminate unpermitted discharges, and the company ultimately agreed to a substantial civil penalty following identified violations.
Despite previously stating that their operations were environmentally sound, SpaceX encountered significant pushback from regulators regarding its wastewater management practices.
Musk’s expansive business interests have come under a cloud of environmental allegations. Recently, his xAi faced claims for operating gas turbines in Memphis without appropriate permits, contributing to pollution. Concerns have also surfaced regarding worker safety on construction sites, where employees encountered hazardous conditions. Additionally, reports indicate that Musk’s Boring Company has neglected regulatory compliance at its Las Vegas tunneling operations.
DOGE’s Impact on the EPA
Elon Musk and Donald Trump have been transparent about their intentions to limit the scope of federal regulatory agencies, primarily to reduce costs for businesses.
“The deregulation process is essential as some regulations can be overly burdensome and contribute to increased costs without justification,” Musk expressed during a recent discussion with Trump.
Musk’s financial backing of Trump’s presidential bid exceeded $250 million, enabling him to lead efforts in cutting down federal workforce sizes, including staff at the EPA. Plans outlined in the Wall Street Journal indicated significant budget reductions for the EPA as part of DOGE’s broader reform initiatives.
Shortly after Trump took office, nearly 1,100 EPA employees were warned about potential terminations, a directive later contested in the courts. Nonetheless, plans to reduce staffing and budget at the EPA continue as the push for deregulation persists.
“When you cut staff, you will get less work done. It is as simple as that.”
With further cuts looming, EPA officials indicate that enforcement capabilities may diminish, leading to fewer cases being pursued. Trump and EPA chief Lee Zeldin have discussed reductions in the agency’s budget by as much as 65 percent.
Recent communications suggest more staff reductions are anticipated, especially in light of Trump’s strategic initiatives aimed at reshaping the role and function of federal agencies.
“Environmental [regulation] is the biggest tool for stopping growth … it costs much more to do things environmentally clean,” Trump said in a recent interview.
The Trump administration’s Project 2025 proposes dismantling dedicated enforcement units within the EPA, making regulation more fragmented and complex.
Recent proposals aim to rescind protections against pollutants, which could have dire public health implications.
“Everything we’re witnessing points to a political agenda to roll back regulations and allow industry to operate with fewer restrictions, potentially endangering public health,” stated Larry Starfield, a former EPA high-ranking official.
Enforcement of Environmental Laws
A recent memo from EPA leadership outlines restrictions on future enforcement actions, severely limiting the agency’s capacity to pursue violations deemed a burden on energy production.
This restructuring adds to a pattern, potentially harming communities that already experience environmental injustices and limiting the agency’s ability to respond adequately.
Concerns have been raised that this interference could lead to inaction against companies deemed friends of influential politicians, raising fears about an increased toleration for environmental violations.
Critics highlight a troubling trend during the Trump administration’s prior term, where average inspections and civil enforcement actions by the EPA significantly plummeted compared to previous administrations, indicating a hesitant approach to holding powerful corporate interests accountable.
Such decisions signal an ongoing trend that may burgeon as the Trump administration resumes its position in power, casting doubt on the commitment to uphold vital environmental regulations.
The DOJ’s lack of communication on this matter raises further questions about the seriousness of enforcing environmental laws, particularly as it shifts its focus to other avenues such as immigration.
With Musk’s business and political influences intersecting, the possibility of limited enforcement actions against entities connected to powerful figures grows, heightening concerns among environmental advocates.
Musk, who has managed to avoid traditional accountability mechanisms, operates within the Trump administration’s regulatory framework without any formal position or confirmation from the Senate, complicating matters further.
“He acts as if he wields influence, yet he lacks any official capacity,” says Nichols, commenting on Musk’s public presence in regulatory discussions.
“How do you spell corruption? E-L-O-N.”
Recent protests reflect growing discontent among EPA employees regarding perceived corruption and the erosion of the agency’s capacity to effectively enforce environmental laws.
An anonymous EPA employee conveyed frustrations regarding the risk of curtailed enforcement capabilities within the agency, stressing concerns over public health and environmental protections.
Are you a current or former employee at the EPA? Reach out securely with tips to Justine Calma via Signal at bqe210.91.
