Elon Musk’s underground transit project raises concerns over oversight and safety

Elon Musk’s Vegas Loop project promises a futuristic transit solution, but a lack of oversight and environmental scrutiny has raised questions about safety, labor practices and long-term feasibility.

Daniel Rothberg reports for ProPublica and Dayvid Figler reports for City Cast Las Vegas.

In short:

Musk’s Boring Company bypassed traditional environmental and safety reviews by partnering with Las Vegas tourism officials, enabling rapid expansion with minimal public input.
Regulators have fined the company for environmental violations, including discharging untreated water and operating without permits, while labor complaints highlight unsafe working conditions.
Critics argue that a private, untested transportation system with limited oversight poses risks to public safety and the environment, yet local leaders continue to back its expansion.

Key quote:

“All their answers are completely evasive. So there are significant operational concerns.”

— Nevada transportation industry expert who requested anonymity

Why this matters:

Skeptics warn that relying on a private, untested system could come at a steep cost. With Musk advising the Trump administration on slashing regulations, the Vegas Loop might be a preview of what’s to come: a fast lane to the future with few checks on who’s steering.

www.propublica.org

Elon Musk’s underground transit project raises concerns over oversight and safety

EU countries are bailing out fossil fuels instead of funding the green transition, Greenpeace warns

Experts: You have some power to reduce your AI environmental footprint

Indigenous cultural practices are a climate solution, report finds

Carbon captured

After a civil rights complaint, Chicago built an extensive air-monitoring network

Trump’s Energy Secretary says ‘cold is larger killer’ during record European heatwave

'Flesh-eating' bacteria threat spreads on Europe's beaches as seas warm

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.