EXCLUSIVE: FAA allows SpaceX to conduct its own environmental review of controversial South Texas fa

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WKRG by: Sandra Sanchez 7/20/2020

EXCLUSIVE: FAA allows SpaceX to conduct its own environmental review of controversial South Texas facility

The Federal Aviation Administration allowed SpaceX to pick the type of environmental review it wanted done on its controversial South Texas launch facility, and the aerospace company chose the quicker and easier route that requires no public hearing or comment period, the FAA told Border Report.

This is the same facility where a SpaceX rocket engine exploded on May 29 during a test, sending a fireball into the air near Boca Chica Beach on the border with Mexico.

In a letter sent to the head of a South Texas environmental nonprofit organization, an FAA official wrote that “applicants have the right to choose whether to conduct an Environmental Assessment (EA) under FAA oversight or work with the FAA to initiate the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) process. If an applicant believes the proposed action would have no significant environmental impacts, or that they can mitigate any potential impacts, then the applicant typically chooses an EA. … SpaceX has begun an EA for the action of issuing experimental permits or launch licenses to SpaceX for Starship/Super Heavy launch operations at the Texas Launch Site.”

The letter also said that the agency has reached out to three other federal agencies to help monitor the situation.

More: https://www.wkrg.com/news/exclusive-faa-allows-spacex-to-conduct-its-own-environmental-review-of-controversial-south-texas-facility/