"Elon Musk's company, Tesla, should have its application to supply energy to UK homes blocked on national security grounds, Ed Davey has told ministers. The Liberal Democrat leader argued that giving the electric car manufacturer a foothold in the British energy market would be a gravely concerning move considering Elon Musk's repeated interference in UK politics. Tesla has a clean energy arm and applied in July for a licence to supply power to British homes."
"If the licence is granted by the regulator, Ofgem, the US company could be competing with big UK domestic energy suppliers such as British Gas and Octopus as soon as next year. In a letter to the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, Sir Ed cited comments by Musk on social media appearing to encourage violent riots in the UK last summer, and accused the Tesla CEO of peddling misinformation to millions."
"Davey cited reports that Musk had been in regular contact with Vladimir Putin and wrote that the billionaire had repeatedly demonstrated his recklessness when in control of critical infrastructure through his management of the Starlink satellite service. Reuters reported earlier this summer that Musk had ordered Starlink to cut internet coverage in parts of Ukraine during a crucial counteroffensive during the early stages of the Russian invasion."
Ed Davey urged that Tesla's application to supply energy to UK homes be blocked on national security grounds. Tesla applied in July for a licence to supply power to British homes through its clean energy arm. If Ofgem grants the licence, the US company could compete with major UK suppliers such as British Gas and Octopus as soon as next year. Cited concerns include Elon Musk's social media posts appearing to encourage violent riots, his sympathy for far-right figures, Home Office monitoring of his posts as a security risk, and reports of Musk's contacts with Vladimir Putin and Starlink decisions that reduced internet coverage in parts of Ukraine.
#tesla-energy-licence #national-security #elon-musk-political-interference #starlink-critical-infrastructure
Read at www.theguardian.com
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