Tesla Demands Privacy From Public Officials, NA Sales Chief Departs - CleanTechnica

The article discusses Tesla's demand for privacy regarding its communications with Texas public officials, highlighting concerns about transparency and secretive dealings between Elon Musk’s companies and the state government. A public radio collaboration, Texas Newsroom, requested emails between Musk and Texas officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, but was met with resistance citing privacy, legal, and economic development confidentiality reasons. Despite paying a fee to access the records, much of the information was withheld, raising questions about the openness of the legislative process involving Musk’s influence. During the recent Texas legislative session, lobbyists for Musk and his companies successfully promoted several bills favorable to their interests. These included legislation facilitating the installation of residential energy storage like Tesla Powerwalls, criminalizing drone interference near SpaceX operations, and shifting control of public land near SpaceX’s launch site to accommodate Musk’s scheduling preferences. Additionally, some bills opposed by Musk failed to pass. The article criticizes the secretive nature of these negotiations and the broader implications for democracy, portraying Musk and