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A comment on SpaceX Seeks Approval to Turn Texas Starbase Site into New City. Parent comment

Re:SpaceX Seeks Approval to Turn Texas Starbase Site into Ne... by alistairSH on Friday December 13, 2024 @09:28AM (#42408684)
Yes, there are safety concerns, especially given SpaceX's track record at that site. They've already been fined for violating the Clean Water Act. Their pad design blows up and sends chunks miles away and into nearby towns.

But, Musk is on a b̶r̶i̶b̶e̶r̶y̶ campaign donation spree right now, so I'm sure he'll get this rammed through.

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Re:SpaceX Seeks Approval to Turn Texas Starbase Site into Ne... by Polizeiposaune on Friday December 13, 2024 @10:54AM (#42409657)
The pad was fixed prior to the second test launch with the addition of a water deluge system.

The clean water act issue involved a dispute between Texas and the EPA about which kind of Texas permit SpaceX needed for a potable (drinkable) water deluge at the pad. Texas regulators told SpaceX what they needed to do for permitting, SpaceX did it, and then the EPA came back and made them file different paperwork and pay a fine. My understanding is that the EPA did not require any changes to the deluge system, just different paperwork.

SpaceX concluded that paying the fine was faster than fighting the EPA.

SpaceX's version of events:

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1823080774012481862

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Re:SpaceX Seeks Approval to Turn Texas Starbase Site into Ne... by rlt on Friday December 13, 2024 @11:27AM (#42409978)
IIRC the Clean Water Act violation was discharge of potable water from the deluge system, which, while technically a violation, is a little absurd given the exact same effect would occur when it rains.

The debris from flight 1 you’re referring to did not reach any towns, and they have since added the above mentioned deluge system to prevent pad damage.

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