Governor’s Office and Boring Co. Scrutinized for Safety Violations in Vegas Loop Project
The absence of representation from both Elon Musk’s Boring Company and Governor Joe Lombardo’s office at a recent state meeting has raised eyebrows. Lawmakers were keen to discuss significant safety violations related to the Vegas Loop project, but neither party attended the session, leaving many questions unanswered.
Assemblymember Howard Watts, chair of the Legislature’s Interim Committee on Growth and Infrastructure, expressed concern over the perceived preferential treatment afforded to Musk’s company. He noted that the administration’s failure to appoint necessary review board members compromised the enforcement of health and safety standards.
The controversy intensified after Lombardo’s administration reportedly dismissed substantial safety fines without adhering to the standard OSHA appeals procedure. Allegations have surfaced that attempts were made to erase these actions from public records—a potential Class 3 felony. However, the Director of the State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry, appointed by Lombardo, could not clarify how such a cover-up might have occurred or whether it was being investigated thoroughly.
State Lawmakers’ Reaction
Las Vegas Review Journal: State lawmakers expressed disappointment when representatives from both Boring Co. and Gov. Lombardo’s office failed to attend the hearing focused on violations and business practices during the Vegas Loop’s construction.
Nevada Current: Watts questioned if the Governor’s Office facilitates similar interventions for other businesses embroiled in regulatory disputes and whether it affects the impartiality of inspections.
He also criticized Lombardo for not filling a vacancy on the Occupational Safety and Health Review Board. By law, this board should include two labor representatives, but only one position is filled, while the other is held by a former labor commissioner rather than a union member as customary. “I can think of many unions that would be glad to provide recommendations to the governor for appointments to that board, including probably the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada,” Watts remarked.
Lack of Accountability
Fortune: The Governor’s Office, previously involved when Boring Co. faced citations after firefighter injuries in the tunnels, declined to participate in the session.
2 News: Allegations against the Governor’s Office include exerting political influence to mitigate penalties. Watts explained, “When a company fights fines for OSHA violations, that goes through a review board. That board is appointed by the Governor, and it has two vacancies currently, so it’s handicapping the ability for them to hold these companies accountable.”
Both the Governor’s Office and Boring Company have yet to address these concerns publicly.
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