Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been found to be in violation of environmental regulations in Texas, with the state’s environmental agency reporting that the company released pollutants into or near bodies of water at its Starbase launch facility. This comes after the Environmental Protection Agency also notified SpaceX of the violation of the Clean Water Act.
The violations could potentially impact SpaceX’s plans to increase Starship launches from the facility, as aerospace companies need to be compliant with state and federal laws to secure approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for launches.
The water deluge system at SpaceX’s Starbase launch facility has been a focal point in these violations, with reports of discharging deluge water without proper authorization. The company also discharged industrial wastewater without a permit four times between March and July of the same year.
SpaceX has asserted that regulators advised them to continue operations despite the violation notices. However, the notices could delay launch approvals, result in civil penalties, or lead to further investigations and potential criminal charges. Environmental experts have raised concerns about the impact of pollutants like mercury on the environment and wildlife due to SpaceX’s activities.
The company has rushed to rebuild its launchpad and implement proper systems, but questions remain about its compliance with regulations and the potential risks posed by its operations. The FAA has postponed public meetings related to SpaceX’s plans to increase launches and landings at the Boca Chica site, indicating a potential setback for Musk’s ambitious space exploration goals.
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