McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — A day of public meetings scheduled in South Texas on SpaceX’s Starship launches has been canceled due to National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter’s death.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday announced that in-person public meetings scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9 were canceled by the agency because the date has been set aside to remember Carter, who died at 100 on Dec. 29.

Public meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7, still will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Texas Southmost College, Jacob Brown Auditorium, 600 International Blvd., in Brownsville, Texas, the FAA said.

Virtual meetings are also scheduled for Jan. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and registration is required at this link.

SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket is seen at its Texas launch pad overlooking Boca Chica Beach, Texas, and the U.S./Mexico border. (SpaceX via AP File Photo)

The FAA is holding long awaited public meetings on SpaceX’s request to increase the number of launches and landings of its Starship/Super Heavy spacecraft from its Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach, on the U.S./Mexico border.

SpaceX has already launched six test flights of its Starship spacecraft from Boca Chica. It is looking to launch a seventh test flight soon and plans to reuse a raptor engine that was used during the fifth test flight, according to the company.

Several environmental groups have raised concerns regarding the federal government allowing SpaceX to conduct test launches of the 397-foot-tall Starship under what the company had originally proposed would be tests of a much smaller Falcon Heavy spacecraft at the border launch facility. Specifically they worry about rocket fuel used and its affect on wildlife, like shore birds, as well as industrial waste water that currently is being dumped into surrounding waterways.

The nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity previously submitted these comments in response to the launch tests: “We are concerned about the impacts of SpaceX’s activities at the Boca Chica site, particularly given the sensitive ecosystems and imperiled species that are directly affected by the proposed activities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a duty to ensure that SpaceX’s exploratory efforts do not come at the expense and undue sacrifice of our current home and the wildlife that relies on the habitat in the Boca Chica area.”

The FAA currently is evaluating the company’s request for a permit or license application, which includes a review of:

Public safety issues, such as overflight of populated areas, and payload content

National security or foreign policy concerns

Insurance requirements for launch

Potential environmental impact

The FAA is holding public meetings on a Revised Draft Tiered Environmental Assessment for SpaceX’s proposal to increase the number of launches to 25 annually, up from five, according to the agency. SpaceX also wants to increase the number of landings to 25.

Public meetings were originally scheduled to be held in August but were postponed. The public comment period will end on Jan. 17, according to the FAA.

Comments can be emailed: www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2006; or mailed to Ms. Amy Hanson, FAA Environmental Specialist, SpaceX EA, c/o ICF, 1902 Reston Metro Plaza Reston, VA 20190, or delivered in written or verbal form during the Jan. 7 public meeting. 

Complaint against state permit

The earlier postponement of FAA public meetings occurred as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality made public a report that found SpaceX had been discharging industrial wastewater in Texas waterways without permission as part of its facility’s operations.

The company denied the charges but SpaceX agreed to a $3,750 fine and TCEQ commissioners approved it.

On Dec. 26, the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, represented by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, filed a contested case hearing against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding the state agency’s decision to approve SpaceX’s permit for test launches. No regulations were set by the state agency, which recently ruled that wastewater discharge from the company into nearby wetlands and tidal flats.

Petitioners argue that the permit allows the release of “untreated wastewater discharge will endanger local wildlife and Native sacred sites belonging to the Carrizo Comecrudo Texas Tribe.”

They are requesting a hearing to ensure SpaceX is complying with state and federal laws.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.