SpaceX has secured the green light from Cameron County to establish an air separator facility near Brownsville, Texas. This new plant will be positioned less than 300 feet from the local sand dunes, sparking concerns among residents about its potential effects on the area's vegetation and wildlife. The county commissioners voted 3-1 in favor of granting SpaceX the necessary permits to construct this facility, which will operate similarly to an oil refinery by producing vital gases for space flight operations.
The proposed facility will feature 20 structures spread over 1.66 acres, including a tower that will rise to 159 feet. It will be located approximately 280 feet inland from the vegetation line where the dunes commence. The plant's main role will be to separate air into nitrogen and oxygen. SpaceX utilizes liquid oxygen as a rocket propellant and liquid nitrogen for testing and operational purposes.
By building this facility on-site, SpaceX aims to enhance the efficiency of gas delivery, thereby eliminating the need for over 200 truck deliveries from Brownsville for each launch. A SpaceX engineer emphasized the efficiency improvements during a recent county meeting.
SpaceX has put forward a plan to mitigate environmental impacts, which includes addressing disturbances to 865 square feet of dune vegetation and 20 cubic yards of dunes. They also intend to compensate for permanent impacts to 7,735 square feet of vegetation and 465 cubic yards of dunes. Although the project will be constructed on SpaceX-owned land, the county maintains authority over construction activities affecting Boca Chica's dunes.
The county approved the permit with several conditions, primarily focusing on restoration efforts. SpaceX is obligated to restore or replace any damaged dunes, ensuring that the coastal area is left in as good or better condition than before. Non-compliance with these requirements could lead to enforcement actions by the Texas General Land Office, including civil penalties. The county will oversee compliance with these stipulations.
Community Concerns and County Decisions
Despite the approval, some residents and SpaceX critics voiced dissatisfaction with the information provided by the company regarding environmental mitigation. Concerns were also raised about the limited time allocated for public input, with calls for a 30-day public hearing notice. Nevertheless, the commissioners proceeded with the vote, having previously postponed the decision.
Augusto Sanchez, Cameron County's director of natural resources, acknowledged the residents' concerns but highlighted efforts to minimize environmental disruptions. The construction site was moved 50 feet further inland from its original proposal to address these concerns.
Bill Berg, a member of the environmental advocacy group Save RGV, criticized the county's decision, suggesting that local government is prioritizing SpaceX's interests over environmental considerations. The group's opposition underscores ongoing tensions between SpaceX's expansion efforts and environmental preservation in the area.