Energy
Tesla hires former White House official to lead Gov’t Relations & Policy for North America
Recent reports have emerged stating that Tesla has hired White House veteran Alexandra Veitch as its new North American lead for government relations and policy. Veitch, who served as a Special Assistant to former US President Barack Obama in the past, is reportedly starting her employment in Tesla today.
News of Veitch’s appointment was reported by American political news agency Politico, which dubbed the White House veteran as an “Obama Alumni,” and more recently, the VP for government relations at CSRA, a tech contractor for the US government. Veitch’s LinkedIn page still does not indicate that she works for Tesla, but a quick look at her background and past employment suggests that she would be an excellent hire for the electric car maker and energy company.
Veitch describes herself in her LinkedIn profile as someone who has “extensive experience at the highest levels of both the legislative and executive branch.” Her more than ten years worth of experience on Capitol Hill is also emphasized.
Prior to her reported employment at Tesla, Veitch served as the VP of Government Relations for CSRA Inc. During her stay with the IT provider, she helped the company “refine and promote a unique public policy view for a new company, establishing CSRA as a leader on issues to include cybersecurity, IT modernization, and good government.”
Tesla reportedly welcomes White House veteran Alexandra Veitch as its new North American lead for government relations and policy. [Credit: LinkedIn]
Before joining CSRA Inc. on January 2017, Veitch served at the White House. From September 2015-January 2017, she worked as a Special Assistant to then-US President Barack Obama. According to Veitch’s LinkedIn profile, she “managed the President’s relationships with nearly 100 Members of Congress – both Democrats and Republicans, members of leadership, and Chairs and Ranking Members of committees – and represented his interests to legislative leaders.” She also served as the “subject matter expert within the White House on the legislative and oversight activities of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.”
Veitch was also employed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Legislative Affairs in the US Department of Homeland Security. She was also a Senior Advisor and Director of Speechwriting to US politician Nancy Pelosi for more than seven years, from August 2005 – December 2012.
Alexandra Veitch has a Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, where she graduated cum laude. She also has a Masters in International Studies from the University of Sydney, Australia.
If Politico’s report proves accurate, Tesla would have gained a veteran in the government relations field with Veitch’s hiring. Her expertise, after all, would definitely come in handy, considering the circumstances surrounding the company. After all, while Tesla’s shares continue to rise in the stock market amid improvements in the Model 3 line, the company is still facing an investigation from the NTSB about a fatal Model X crash last month near Mountain View, CA, on top of an ongoing recall for the Model S. If Veitch’s background is any indication, however, Tesla’s government relations and policy would now be led by very experienced hands.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Energy
Tesla Megapack Megafactory in Texas advances with major property sale
Stream Realty Partners announced the sale of Buildings 9 and 10 at the Empire West industrial park, which total 1,655,523 square feet.
Tesla’s planned Megapack factory in Brookshire, Texas has taken a significant step forward, as two massive industrial buildings fully leased to the company were sold to an institutional investor.
In a press release, Stream Realty Partners announced the sale of Buildings 9 and 10 at the Empire West industrial park, which total 1,655,523 square feet. The properties are 100% leased to Tesla under a long-term agreement and were acquired by BGO on behalf of an institutional investor.
The two facilities, located at 100 Empire Boulevard in Brookshire, Texas, will serve as Tesla’s new Megafactory dedicated to manufacturing Megapack battery systems.
According to local filings previously reported, Tesla plans to invest nearly $200 million into the site. The investment includes approximately $44 million in facility upgrades such as electrical, utility, and HVAC improvements, along with roughly $150 million in manufacturing equipment.
Building 9, spanning roughly 1 million square feet, will function as the primary manufacturing floor where Megapacks are assembled. Building 10, covering approximately 600,000 square feet, will be dedicated to warehousing and logistics operations, supporting storage and distribution of completed battery systems.
Waller County Commissioners have approved a 10-year tax abatement agreement with Tesla, offering up to a 60% property-tax reduction if the company meets hiring and investment targets. Tesla has committed to employing at least 375 people by the end of 2026, increasing to 1,500 by the end of 2028, as noted in an Austin County News Online report.
The Brookshire Megafactory will complement Tesla’s Lathrop Megafactory in California and expand U.S. production capacity for the utility-scale energy storage unit. Megapacks are designed to support grid stabilization and renewable-energy integration, a segment that has become one of Tesla’s fastest-growing businesses.
Energy
Tesla meets Giga New York’s Buffalo job target amid political pressures
Giga New York reported more than 3,460 statewide jobs at the end of 2025, meeting the benchmark tied to its dollar-a-year lease.
Tesla has surpassed its job commitments at Giga New York in Buffalo, easing pressure from lawmakers who threatened the company with fines, subsidy clawbacks, and dealership license revocations last year.
The company reported more than 3,460 statewide jobs at the end of 2025, meeting the benchmark tied to its dollar-a-year lease at the state-built facility.
As per an employment report reviewed by local media, Tesla employed 2,399 full-time workers at Gigafactory New York and 1,060 additional employees across the state at the end of 2025. Part-time roles pushed the total headcount of Tesla’s New York staff above the 3,460-job target.
The gains stemmed in part from a new Long Island service center, a Buffalo warehouse, and additional showrooms in White Plains and Staten Island. Tesla also said it has invested $350 million in supercomputing infrastructure at the site and has begun manufacturing solar panels.
Empire State Development CEO Hope Knight said the agency was “very happy” with Giga New York’s progress, as noted in a WXXI report. The current lease runs through 2029, and negotiations over updated terms have included potential adjustments to job requirements and future rent payments.
Some lawmakers remain skeptical, however. Assemblymember Pat Burke questioned whether the reported job figures have been fully verified. State Sen. Patricia Fahy has also continued to sponsor legislation that would revoke Tesla’s company-owned dealership licenses in New York. John Kaehny of Reinvent Albany has argued that the project has not delivered the manufacturing impact originally promised as well.
Knight, for her part, maintained that Empire State Development has been making the best of a difficult situation.
“(Empire State Development) has tried to make the best of a very difficult situation. There hasn’t been another use that has come forward that would replace this one, and so to the extent that we’re in this place, the fact that 2,000 families at (Giga New York) are being supported through the activity of this employer. It’s the best that we can have happen,” the CEO noted.
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