MCALLEN, Texas — Environmental groups in the Rio Grande Valley have accused the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality of overstepping its authority by allowing Elon Musk’s SpaceX to discharge wastewater at its South Texas launch site without a permit. (TCEQ).
Cariso/Comeclude Nation of Texas, Inc., Save RGV and the South Texas Environmental Justice Network filed the lawsuit Monday in Travis County’s 126th District Court.
The groups filed the lawsuit after TCEQ in November gave SpaceX permission to release flood water without a permit for 300 days or until it obtains a permit.
In the lawsuit, the organizations claim that the TCEQ’s decision “exceeded the agency’s statutory authority.” It must have been created through illegal procedures. It was affected by a mistake in the law. It was arbitrary and capricious and marked by abuse of discretion. ”
In August, TCEQ issued a warning to SpaceX for releasing industrial wastewater without permission during four separate Starship launches. SpaceX refuted these claims.
SaveRGV filed a separate lawsuit against SpaceX in October, accusing it of violating the Clean Water Act through its deluge system by polluting Boca Chica Beach in Brownsville.
SpaceX says the system is intended to absorb heat and vibrations from rocket engines during launches, and is “not harmful to the environment.”
“SpaceX has knowingly violated the Clean Water Act by discharging industrial wastewater without authorization every time it activated a ‘deluge system’ of extinguishing agents on its launch pad,” the SaveRGV website states. A statement has been written.
The lawsuit includes statements from Brownsville residents and others familiar with the area who are concerned about the floodwaters’ impact on local wildlife.
“Since SpaceX’s launches began, Mr. Branch has noticed a decline in both plant cover and the number of birds and pollinators,” the suit says.
