South Texas environmental groups sue TCEQ over SpaceX wastewater

BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Texas environmental groups have sued the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for allegedly allowing SpaceX to pour polluted water into Boca Chica wetlands without a permit.

According to the lawsuit, the TCEQ has approved an order to allow SpaceX to dump industrial wastewater from the deluge system at the Starbase launch pad site in Cameron County until it receives a new permit.

Plaintiffs in the suit are Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, Inc., Save RGV, and the South Texas Environmental Justice Network. It was filled in the Travis County district court Monday.

“The Clean Water Act requires the TCEQ to follow certain procedural and technical requirements when issuing discharge permits meant to protect public participation and ensure compliance with Texas surface water quality standards. By bypassing these requirements, the Commission has put the Boca Chica environment at risk of degradation,“ said Attorney Lauren Ice, representing the three Rio Grande Valley organizations. 

The lawsuit cites the Clean Water Act has been violated by the TCEQ due to its granting of permission for SpaceX to dump contaminated water in the wetlands without a permit.

“We were forced to sue the TCEQ for undermining our environmental laws in favor of SpaceX and allowing Musk’s private space company to pollute the waters of Boca Chica Beach, South Bay, the Rio Grande, and the Gulf of Mexico—waters that are sacred to our Tribal Nation,” said Juan Mancias, the Tribal chairman for the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas. “We will keep fighting back against SpaceX because the Esto’k Gna Nation are Protectors of water, air, land, and our traditional way of protecting our rights in South Texas.” 

ValleyCentral reached out to the TCEQ for comment on the lawsuit. However, a media relations specialist replied that the TCEQ cannot comment on pending litigation.