So many lawsuits, so little time.
Rio Grande Valley groups are suing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, accusing the agency of bypassing state regulations by allowing SpaceX to temporarily discharge industrial water at its South Texas launch site without a proper permit.
The groups — the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, along with the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, and Save RGV — filed the lawsuit Monday after the agency decided last month to allow SpaceX to continue its operations for 300 days or until the company obtained the appropriate permit.
It is the latest in a string of lawsuits filed by environmental groups aimed at curbing the possible environmental impacts of SpaceX’s operations at Boca Chica on the southern tip of Texas.
Earlier this year, TCEQ cited SpaceX for discharging water into nearby waterways after it was used to protect the launchpad from heat damage during Starship launches four times this year.
SpaceX did not admit to any violation but agreed to pay a $3,750 penalty. Part of the penalty was deferred until SpaceX obtains the proper permit and on the condition that future water discharges meet pollution restrictions.
The environmental groups say that allowing SpaceX to continue is a violation of permitting requirements and that TCEQ is acting outside of its authority.
“The Clean Water Act requires the TCEQ to follow certain procedural and technical requirements when issuing discharge permits meant to protect public participation and ensure compliance with Texas surface water quality standards,” Lauren Ice, the attorney for the three Rio Grande Valley organizations, said in a statement.
“By bypassing these requirements, the Commission has put the Boca Chica environment at risk of degradation,” Ice said.
I mean, a $3750 fine might not be enough to deter me, and I’m worth [checks bank statement] a lot less than Elbow Musk. What are we doing here?
Other lawsuits filed by the same group of plaintiffs include one against the FAA over approval of expanded rocket launch operations, another against the FAA for failing to properly analyze the environmental impacts of the first Starship launch before issuing a revised license for its second launch, and one to stop the Boca Chica land swap, which is now moot. I see no reason to think these will slow down any time soon.