Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been accused of violating environmental regulations by discharging pollutants from its water deluge system into or nearby bodies of water at its Starbase launch facility in Texas, CNBC reports.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued notices of violation, stating that SpaceX released industrial wastewater without proper permits. The TCEQ received multiple complaints about SpaceX’s water deluge system, which is used to manage heat and energy from rocket launches. This system has reportedly discharged industrial wastewater unlawfully and potentially contains harmful levels of mercury.
This activity could delay SpaceX’s approval for future launches and result in fines or further investigations. Despite these violations, SpaceX has continued its operations, claiming regulatory approval to do so. The company has maintained that its operations have not caused environmental harm, although experts have raised concerns about the system’s impact on local water quality.
The FAA, which is involved in the approval process for SpaceX launches, has postponed public meetings regarding SpaceX’s plans for increased launch activities at the site.
