Gigafactory and Greenwashing Blues in the 775
A recap of our recent reporting plus bonus content.
Recent news of the “world’s first lithium sulfur battery gigafactory” soon coming to Reno and bringing hundreds of potential jobs was met with no holds barred cheerleading by our local media.
Commenters on our post and story sang a different tune though, as we’ve pointed out the greenwashing taking place with the unabashed promotion of a so-called local lithium loop, from our elected Senators to current candidates and the White House, despite the clear economic difficulties for locals, environmental degradation and repeated lawsuits by environmentalists and tribes.
“Life over lithium,” one wrote. Another added these hashtags: #peeheemuhuh #lifeoverlithium #protectthackerpass #peopleofredmountain
“The negative impact on our wellbeing is not worth the potential jobs,” another wrote on Instagram.
We previously reported on an unhoused man, kicked out of a demolished motel, who spoke of the “Teslafication” of our local economy, with infrastructure lacking sprawl, growing traffic headaches, developers sending huge contributions to their favorite politicians and a biggest little city lost in its ways.
In comments initially hidden, one reader wrote: “Keep that Bay Area tech shit outta here, how about we actually invest into the communities that are so neglected out here instead? Also f*** lithium batteries, I hope we can move away from that greenwashed shit into more sustainable renewable energy.”
“You gonna bring that, then you need to bring everything that people need to live a good life,” wrote emileylouanne who should maybe consider running for local office, based on her common sense. “I’m talking parks, grocery stores, bars and restaurants, museums, better public transportation, schools, hospitals, fire stations, police sub stations, retail shopping, movie theaters, HOUSING (no more of these ugly ass apartments that look temporary). Not only do they need to bring this , but they need to ensure that these new places have employees and pay them a livable wage.”
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