COMMUNITY NEWS
Tesla Pays EPA $275,000 in Clean Air Settlement O n Feb. 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Tesla Motors Inc. in which the electric car-maker agreed to pay a $275,000 penalty. EPA found Clean Air Act violations at their auto manufacturing plant in Fremont, which applied coating materials containing formaldehyde, ethylbenzene, naphthalene and xylene. Based on several information requests to Tesla, EPA determined the company violated federal regulations under the Clean Air Act from October 2016 through September 2019 by: • Failing to develop and/or implement a work practice plan to minimize hazardous air pollutants emissions from the storage and mixing of materials used in vehicle coating operations. • Failing to correctly perform required monthly emissions calculations needed to demonstrate that coating operations complied with federal standards on hazardous air pollutants, which are known to cause cancer. • Failing to collect and keep all required records associated with the calculation of the hazardous air pollutants
emission rate for Tesla’s coating operations. The EPA said Tesla has corrected the violations and returned to compliance. Tesla targets buyers concerned about the environment, boasting lower carbon dioxide emissions. The 2022 Model S starts at $44,900 and up while the high-end Model X starts at $104,990. “Today’s enforcement action against Tesla reflects EPA’s continued commitment to ensure compliance with federal clean air laws,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. People living in communities near sources of hazardous air pollutants may face significant risks to their health and environment. According to the EPA, the list of hazardous air pollutants includes more than 180 chemicals known to cause cancer or other serious health effects. The EPA said the settlement aligns with EPA’s National Compliance Initiative, Creating Cleaner Air for Communities by Reducing Excess Emissions of Harmful Pollutants. n ••• For info on Clean Air Act enforcement: www.epa.gov/enforcement/air-enforcement
Dientes’ Tiffany Turner Wins National Award
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iffany Turner, chief operations clinics following strict protocols after a officer at Dientes Community two-month shutdown for all but emerDental Care in Santa Cruz, was gency visits. Her attention to detail has resulted honored with the prestigious Emerging Leader Award at the National Asso- in zero COVID outbreaks in Dientes’ ciation of Community Health Centers clinics to date, colleagues said. “Her high expecPolicies and Issues tations, guidance to annual conference in achieve goals, and Washington, D.C., on team-orientation, comFeb. 16. bined with on-the-job The Emerging experience, has allowed Leader Award is given multiple front-line staff to by George Washington advance without formal University’s Geiger management training,” Gibson Program in said Dientes CEO Laura Community Health Marcus. Policy to exceptional She added, “Ms. young leaders whose Turner goes above and work has helped further beyond to mentor and health care and better Tiffany Turner promote women of color health for medically underserved patients, communities, to leadership positions … We couldn’t be prouder to have a young woman of and special populations. Turner ’s initiative throughout the this caliber leading our operations. She pandemic enabled Dientes to reopen its is an inspiration.” n
Got Inflation? Tell Us About It
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ow is inflation affecting you? In its fourth quarter report, Yelp says consumers described more inflationary experiences in their 2021 reviews than ever before. In 2021, mentions of higher costs reached a fiveyear peak — 49% higher than at the onset of the pandemic in the second quarter of 2020. For the April 1 Aptos Times, let us know how prices have changed for you: Rent? Groceries? PG&E bills? Gasoline? Used cars? To stick within your budget, have you cut back on other spending?
Tell us in 50-100 words we can share with readers. Email Editor Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times.com n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / March 1st 2022 / 23
