A Georgia judge declined to issue a stop-work motion on the development of an electric vehicle factory about 45 minutes outside of Athens.
Superior Court Judge Stephen Bradley ruled against plaintiffs in the lawsuit on Friday, claiming their concerns were short-sighted. The five plaintiffs say construction work flooded their properties with mud and polluted their drinking water.
They also alleged that local officials failed to file land disturbance permits and did not rezone the development site from agricultural use to industrial.
This is not the first time that Rivian has gone to court. A Morgan County judge pumped the brakes in August on a significant source of funding for Rivian after complaints and legal challenges from residents who fear the factory will negatively impact their community.
Rivian announced the enormous factory last December with Governor Brian Kemp’s support. The EV startup promises to create 7,500 jobs, and state and local officials granted Rivian over $1.5 billion in incentives, including tax breaks, grants, free infrastructure and land.