The Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] postponed three scheduled public meetings for this month regarding SpaceX’s plan to increase the launches and landings of its Starship/Super Heavy vehicle. The FAA did not provide the public a reason for the postponement, and the administration apologized “for any inconvenience.”
The FAA assured the meetings would be rescheduled and confirmed the docket remains open for public comments, which can be submitted at www.regulations.gov under docket No. FAA-2024-2006, or by postal mail to Ms. Amy Hanson, FAA Environmental Specialist, c/o ICF 1902 Reston Metro Plaza Reston, VA, 20190.
The first meeting was scheduled for Aug. 13 at the SPI Convention Center, and the second was slated across the causeway at the PI Event Center on Aug. 15. Additionally, the FAA postponed the virtual meeting set for Aug. 20.
SpaceX’s Draft Tiered Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) proposal was to be discussed publicly at the meetings. The Draft EA evaluates SpaceX’s request to conduct up to 25 annual orbital launches and landings of the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle at Boca Chica.
Members of the South TX Environmental Justice Network [SOTXEJN] and concerned residents were planning to gather outside of the public meetings with “Fuera SpaceX signs” and handout information, according to the Sierra Club.
SpaceX’s launch proposal would be destructive to ecosystems and lands that are sacred to the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe, alleges the Sierra Club. Additionally, the Sierra Club stated community members have raised concerns about being excluded from the FAA’s review process of the SpaceX proposal. In addition, the Sierra Club cited the lack of Spanish translation and claimed the notice for the comment period was “too short.”
A letter was sent to Congressman Vincente Gonzalez and the FAA, urging them to rectify the process. The letter was signed by representatives from multiple organizations across the Rio Grande Valley, including the SOTXEJN, Another Gulf is Possible Collaborative, Border Workers United, the Carrizo /Comecrudo Traditional Tribe, Voces Unidas, the ENTRE Film Center & Regional Archive, Texas Rising RGV, the Frontera Fund, Arise Adelante, Trucha in McAllen, Centro por la Justicia, and the South Texas Human Rights Center.
“The current review and public participation process carried out by the FAA is inadequate and hinders engagement from our community members directly impacted by SpaceX’s operations… The FAA’s public participation process does not give enough opportunity for our low-income, marginalized, largely Spanish/English bilingual, and primarily people of color and Indigenous community to participate and give public comments on the ongoing damages by SpaceX in the Cameron County region,” the letter read.
The PRESS reached out to the FAA for a response to these claims. However, none was given as of the time of publication.
