South Texas groups sued state regulators this week for allowing SpaceX to release industrial wastewater into wetlands near its Boca Chica launch site, alleging that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has run afoul of the Clean Water Act.
The lawsuit — filed by Save RGV, the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas and the South Texas Environmental Justice Network — is the latest complaint over the potential environmental effects of SpaceX’s rocket launch site.
Located next to Texas state parks and a national wildlife refuge along the Gulf of Mexico, the facility has come under scrutiny for allegedly blocking access to public beaches, disturbing habitat for migratory birds and releasing industrial wastewater without the proper permit.
SpaceX says that it has taken steps to minimize potential harms to wildlife and wetlands associated with rocket launches. A spokesperson for the company pointed to past statements when asked for comment.
