Texas Environmental Group ‘Save RGV’ Claimed Violation Of Clean Water Act

Judge Rolando Olvera, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, ruled against the Rio Grande Valley-based environmental group Save RGV’s request for a restraining order against SpaceX to block launches from its Boca Chica Starbase launch site.

Save RGV claimed in its October lawsuit that SpaceX was violating the Clean Water Act by releasing wastewater at Boca Chica Beach from the company’s launch site deluge system. SpaceX said it uses potable water in its deluge system, which applies copious amounts of water to the rocket engines and launch pad area to absorb heat, prevent explosions, and reduce the dispersal of dust and debris generated during launches.

In an October post on X, SpaceX said, “"The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) conducted a technical review of Starship’s water-cooled flame deflector, which uses potable (drinking) water and determined that its use does not pose risk to the environment. Save RGV acknowledged that they are aware of these straightforward facts and still filed an unwarranted and frivolous lawsuit."

In his ruling, Judge Olvera wrote, “"Being unable to launch would create various consequences for not only Defendant, but also the public at large. It would significantly delay and possibly destroy Defendant’s contracts with NASA to further the Artemis Program and Human Landing System Program — worth billions of dollars.

Judge Olvera also cited the environmental reviews which concluded that no environmental damage is caused by the SpaceX launches.

FMI:  www.spacex.com/