Image by Blomst from Pixabay

“Swirling internet rumors” centered on Harris Ranch Resort in Coalinga have officials there attempting to set the record straight.

Controversy was resurrected beginning last month when sfgate.com published a story headlined “Tesla’s dirty little secret on California’s I-5.”

The secret? The Harris Ranch Tesla Supercharger facility along Interstate 5 in Coalinga — the largest in the world with 98 charging bays — is powered by a small diesel plant “hidden in plain site.”

The truth? A building reportedly associated with this diesel plant is actually a storage facility and office for the Harris Ranch Express BBQ management team. There are no diesel plants or diesel generators on Harris Ranch property, “a point we fervently assert,” according to a statement issued by Harris Ranch Resort on Thursday.

The sfgate.com article published on Sept. 3 includes reporting conducted by an investigative journalist in 2015. That journalist filmed a video posted on YouTube purporting to show a diesel generator in use to power extra charging bays during the 2015 Memorial Day weekend.

The device in the video appears to be capable of being pulled behind a truck on a trailer. That’s important to note given Harris Ranch’s assertion that there are no diesel plants or generators on their property.

Probably the most important point to make, from Harris Ranch’s standpoint, is that Tesla leases the property from Harris Ranch. “We neither own nor operate the charging station.”

Suzanne Devereaux, director of marketing for Harris Ranch Resort, said in an interview Friday that a “handful” of people have emailed or taken to social media to ask if the allegations were true.

“People are very concerned,” Devereaux said. “Not angry. They just want us to set the record straight.”

To do so, Harris Ranch invites customers and concerned parties alike to visit and inspect the property.

“We are confident that any evaluation will substantiate our statements regarding the absence of diesel power facilities at the Harris Ranch Resort,” according to a statement.

Devereaux said she has been in contact with sfgate.com in hopes of correcting the story. While Tesla doesn’t respond to media inquiries, Devereaux is hopeful to get some talking points from the EV maker to help clear up any misinformation.