New Safety and Environmental Violations Found in Vegas Loop Construction, Report Reveals
The Boring Company, Elon Musk's tunneling venture, faces multiple environmental and safety violations during Vegas Loop construction, according to a new ProPublica investigation based on Freedom of Information Act requests.
Worker at construction muddy site
The Vegas Loop, originally designed to connect different areas of the Las Vegas Convention Center, is expanding to a 68-mile network with 104 stops. The system uses Tesla vehicles to transport 2-3 passengers at approximately 30 mph.
Key violations uncovered include:
- 2019: $90,000 fine for illegal groundwater discharge into storm drains
- 2022: Citation for unauthorized sewer connection
- 2023: Unpermitted tunneling on county property, resulting in retroactive permits and $900 fines per incident
- 2024: Hazardous material spill on I-15 from unsecured truck, resulting in a $75 fine
- Multiple wastewater spills near UNLV in 2023, leading to cease-and-desist letters
- Eight serious OSHA violations resulting in $112,000 in fines after 15-20 employees suffered chemical burns
Tesla in illuminated blue tunnel
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), which partnered with Boring in 2019, continues supporting the project despite these violations. The company has also been criticized for using obscure LLC names in public meetings, potentially limiting public oversight.
Elon Musk headshot
Musk himself has expressed skepticism about environmental regulations, stating at a Buenos Aires conference: "Environmental regulations are in my view largely terrible," suggesting a preference for paying penalties rather than seeking advance approvals.
Currently, only five miles of the planned 68-mile Vegas Loop system are operational.
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