Grünheide approves expansion of the Tesla Gigafactory despite protests

After months of dispute and recently escalating demonstrations, the Grünheide municipal council has approved the expansion of the Tesla-plant. The plant will now be extended by 118 hectares to the east to make room for a new freight station, for which 50 hectares of forest will have to be cleared. The new station is intended to take over the transportation of the vehicles, which is currently carried out by truck, and thus relieve traffic congestion. However, environmental groups see major risks for nature. Critics of the expansion are disappointed and point to a public survey in February, in which 62.1 percent voted against the expansion. However, this survey was not binding for the municipal representatives. Citizens' initiatives have announced that they will continue to fight against the expansion.

The vote was surprisingly clear. Eleven municipal representatives voted in favor of the development plan, six against and two abstained. A roll-call vote was held at the request of the AfD. At the last minute, the development plan was tightened up at the request of the citizens' alliance: the remaining forest on the future station site is to remain in the landscape conservation area and remain in the ownership of the state forestry company.

The Free Voters had tabled this motion to protect the forest from further clearing and to stop the "salami tactics" of Tesla to prevent this. The meeting showed once again how deep the rifts are in Grünheide with regard to the Tesla-factory are. Many journalists reported a tense atmosphere and aggressive heckling. Some community representatives complained about the threatening atmosphere.

The day of the decision in Grünheide was accompanied by protests, which were secured by the police. In contrast to previous events, it remained peaceful. Tesla had previously reduced its expansion plans to include logistics areas and a day-care center. Instead of the originally planned 100 hectares, 50 hectares of forest will now be cleared and 70 hectares will be retained.