SpaceX has violated environmental wastewater regulations at the Starbase facility

Both Texas officials and federal officials have reportedly found that SpaceX violated environmental regulations for discharging wastewater from its Starbase facility.

SpaceX has responded to the reports, saying that state and federal regulators have given it permission to continue operating its flood program while it works to obtain the proper permits. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had not confirmed the waiver of permit requirements as of press time.

The latest development in SpaceX’s long-running battle with environmental regulations at its Boca Chica launch site was first reported by CNBC. SpaceX bought land in the Gulf of Mexico in 2014 and developed it to host the development and launch of Starship, the next generation rocket.

Why is dirty water important

SpaceX has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to launch regularly at the site through 2023—as long as the company meets standards set by various agencies, including rules designed to limit the environmental impact of launches.

After Starship’s first test flight in April 2023 damaged the launch pad, SpaceX built a flood system that dampened the power of Starship’s 33 Raptor engines, releasing 422,000 gallons of water from each flight, much of which quickly evaporated.

Monday’s news suggests more delays to come as the company seeks to win approval not only for its next launch, which was expected as soon as September, but also for a higher-end launch. Yesterday, the FAA canceled a series of public meetings to discuss the expansion of launches and landings at Boca Chica.

“The FAA wants more information from SpaceX before rescheduling public meetings,” the agency told Payload in a statement.

SpaceX says

The company sent a statement on social media that emphasized the company’s efforts to comply with environmental laws, including using only clean water in the system. However, SpaceX documents that the downsizing of its launch pad could contaminate the water, and a Texas environmentalist told CNBC that the company’s mercury measurements concerned him.

SpaceX submitted its individual permit application to TCEQ on July 1, nearly a year after installing the flood plan.

This story appeared first Payment and is republished here with permission.

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