Regulations & Policies

According to an article on the San Francisco Chronicle site, Tesla Motors is being fined for violating "hazardous-waste and air-emissions standards" at the manufacturing site in Fremont. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a statement on Monday that the company is fined a total of $86,000 "in penalties and equipment costs as part of the settlement." The EPA, Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District were involved in the inspection of the manufacturing site in 2017. The settlement requires the company to make improvements, which includes training workers on proper waste management. I found the article to be ironic considering Tesla is advertised as a sustainable brand that produces "clean energy" and has "zero emission." However, this article sheds light on the environmental impact that is caused by manufacturing "environmentally-friendly" vehicles. 

Regarding the article, I can see how poor hazardous waste management and air emissions by Tesla Motors can be directly related to human health. For example, it can affect workers that come into contact with the waste, and it can also change the air quality of residents that live near the manufacturing site. 

I am not aware of all the local elected officials, but this link provides an entire list of names for the City and County of San Francisco.

I have not personally tracked any health policies through my professional nursing organization or nursing union; however, I can become more involved in promoting health policies by collaborating with nursing leaders and government organizations, attaining knowledge about health policy through my doctorate program, and take advantage of resources regarding policy making.