Tesla battles county over coronavirus restrictions

Carmaker resumes production in spite of county-ordered closure - NBC's Dan Scheneman reports

FREMONT, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Tensions are rising between cutting edge carmaker Tesla and the government of Alameda County, California.

Alameda County ordered the Tesla Factory in Fremont to close last month to curb the spread of coronavirus. But when California's governor allowed manufacturers to resume operations, the county wouldn't let Tesla get back into business without a county-approved plan.

Company founder Elon Musk tweeted:

"Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me."

Elon Musk, Tesla Founder

It's the latest skirmish in the battle between the carmaker and Alameda County. The county insists it was working with Tesla to allow it to reopen.

"I wish Elon had waited one more week so we could have just done this in a methodical fashion that puts people back to work safely." said Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty.

Last week Tesla filed suit against the county saying it cannot be more restrictive than orders from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

(Gov. Gavin Newsom/California:52-1:01)
"And I have great expectations that we can work through at the county-level the issue with this particular county and this particular company in the next number of days." said Governor Newsom

Musk may now look to move his plant elsewhere. In a now-deleted Tweet posted Saturday, he wrote:

"Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately."

Elon Musk, Tesla Founder

Tesla's violation of the county's order is punishable by a fine, incarceration, or both. So far the county hasn't moved to enforce its order.