Don't get me wrong, I love me a good pumped hydro solution, but they do come with a couple of disadvantages:
a) as others pointed out, you need a somewhat steep gradient between two places. Preferably for a bit of distance so as to increase efficiency by putting more turbines in. Their need for a gradient limits their use in flat locations such as the entire US Midwest, for example.
b) comparatively expensive and longer construction process than other storage forms.
c) usually you have to build the upper reservoir. That's an environmental harm. IMHO not that big if a concern, but it's there.
d) if you don't build out a reservoir, but use an existing lake, you risk contaminating it with algae / cyanobacteria and wreaking havoc on fish and other wildlife.
In a sense it was, though:
"Tesla is legally obliged to compensate for cleared forests 1:1 with new plantings. The new plantings are mixed forests with a deciduous wood share of more than 60 percent, which is more ecologically valuable than the felled trees on the site. In addition, the new plantings lead to the conversion of species-poor landscapes into habitats for birds, insects and small mammals.
By December 2021, around 90 percent of the required initial afforestation had already been implemented, and the remaining areas will be completed in 2022. The growth is monitored and controlled by the forestry authority and only released after several years of growth and when specified criteria are met. These new plantings will take place at various selected locations in the state of Brandenburg.
In addition, Tesla has announced that it will voluntarily replant areas that will be significantly larger in total than the planned factory site. In order to achieve the best possible result, Tesla says it is working closely with environmental and other expert groups.
Extensive avoidance and replacement measures were carried out to protect possible habitats for reptiles. Among other things, potential habitats were protected by fences. In addition, additional fences were erected to prevent further immigration of reptiles into the project area. Over the summer of 2020, sand lizards, grass snakes and forest ants were professionally relocated to the remaining area that had been applied for clearing.
The following replacement measures were carried out, among others:
Google translated from Land Brandenburg.
... and that's not all, apparently.
Still don't like neither Tesla nor Elon, but in this particular instance it seems the Guardian lied by omission.