In the heart of Texas, SpaceX’s ambitious launch site at Boca Chica has sparked an environmental crisis. While SpaceX aims for the stars, the damage left behind on Earth—our wetlands, wildlife, and coastal waters—is deeply concerning. State and federal investigations reveal that SpaceX has discharged toxic wastewater into protected waters without required permits, posing risks to the fragile Texas coastline and the wildlife that call it home¹.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have both issued violations against SpaceX, citing high levels of contaminants, including mercury, in the company’s wastewater². The mercury levels reported at SpaceX’s site are dangerously above state water safety standards, threatening fish, birds, and entire ecosystems¹. Despite clear guidelines and environmental protections, SpaceX has continued its activities unchecked, compromising the safety and integrity of Texas’s last untouched coastal wetlands.

Irreversible Damage to Wildlife and Ecosystems

Boca Chica’s wetlands are more than just open land—they’re critical habitats for migratory birds, endangered species, and local wildlife. Conservationists have documented the destruction of vulnerable bird nesting sites following SpaceX launches, where powerful blasts damage habitats beyond the immediate launch area³. This damage adds to a concerning trend: without stronger enforcement and accountability, Texas’s biodiversity could suffer irreversible losses.

The Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, who consider this land sacred, have joined environmental groups in urging regulatory agencies to take further action. These communities argue that SpaceX’s operations continue to degrade not only the land but also the cultural heritage and natural resources that Texans value⁴.

SpaceX’s Environmental Record: A Wake-Up Call

As SpaceX rapidly expands, it is essential that this growth does not come at the cost of Texas’s natural resources. Agencies such as the TCEQ are charged with upholding environmental regulations designed to protect our waters, wildlife, and communities. However, repeated violations, delays in compliance, and growing threats to ecosystems underscore the urgent need for stricter oversight and, if warranted, criminal penalties.

It’s time for TCEQ to act in defense of Texas’s environment, enforcing meaningful accountability measures against SpaceX for its documented violations. Our coastline cannot become a testing ground where regulations are disregarded, and the preservation of our land must be prioritized over corporate interests.

Call to Action

Texas’s coastline, its wildlife, and its communities deserve better. We cannot allow the destruction of our ecosystems in the name of unchecked industrial activity. Join us in urging TCEQ to conduct a full investigation, impose the necessary penalties, and enforce sustainable practices that protect our natural resources for generations to come.

Sign the petition to demand accountability for SpaceX’s environmental violations and defend Texas’s waters and wildlife.

More on this issue:

1. Lora Kolodny, CNBC (12 August 2024), "SpaceX repeatedly polluted waters in Texas this year, regulators found."
2. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR (11 October 2024), "SpaceX wants to go to Mars. To get there, environmentalists say it’s trashing Texas."
3. Berenice Garcia, Texas Tribune (4 September 2024), "In South Texas, SpaceX faces skepticism over environmental damage."
4. Andrew Jones, Space.com (14 August 2024), "SpaceX refutes reports that its Starship launch pad system polluted Texas waters."
5. Bobby Magill, EPA Clean Water Act Violations (D M Y), "SpaceX Sued Over Wastewater Discharges at Texas Launch Site (1)."