one from Donald Trump Environmental reviews designed to largely exempt space are seen as gifts to commercial space industry participants (for example) Elon Musk,,,,, Jeff Bezos and others who have long been targeting the regulations.
However, its central component may be illegal and the U.S. president is “trying to end it legally.”
Advocates say that if implemented successfully, the rollout could cause environmental disasters. Rocket launch creates a A large amount of pollution May contaminate local waterways and air with high mercury, PFAparticulate matter and other highly toxic substances. Vibration, sound waves, heat and explosions damage habitats and kill wildlife, some of which are protected by the Endangered Species Act.
The Executive Order directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to “use all available authorities to eliminate or speed up environmental comments.” The few protections during space launches are the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, which considers the widespread impact on the environment and human health, as well as the Coastal Area Administration Act, a federal law that allows states to decide how to use coastlines.
The order has both a goal and suggests that the agency can try to circumvent the Endangered Species Act.
“The order directs the Department of Transportation to do everything possible to avoid NEPA, but that doesn’t mean it is possible or they have the right to do so,” Marglis said.
Executive orders are at the peak of commercial space activities. Musk’s SpaceXIt is the largest space company, with 96 issued in 2023 and a target of 180 this year. This number is expected to continue to grow, while other players, such as Bezos’ Blue Horizon, are rapidly increasing their launch speed.
Public health advocates say the U.S. federal supervision of launches has been weak. The Trump administration has quickly fallen into a few regulatory mechanisms that exist, and recently The funds of the ditches Used for the study of stratospheric pollution, mainly caused by Musk’s pollution SpaceX.
“We are accelerating the number of launches and making our follow-up effects on their environment (which will be a disaster)” said a space industry employee.
Space companies must obtain a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which was reviewed by NEPA as part of the process. Comments are a framework for federal agencies to assess the environmental or human health risks of the project.
They accept Consider Air pollution, endangered species hazards, water pollution, wildfire risks, noise pollution and potential human health risks, etc.
The FAA faces criticism from space companies that it takes too long to review the launch permit (about five months), while environmental groups slam the agency for not using NEPA comments to require more protection at the launch site.
The Executive Order section directs the department to classify launches as “classified exclusion,” a legal term for making minor changes to sites that do not require NEPA environmental review. Among other categories include beautification or lighting changes.
Legal experts who reviewed the order questioned the legality of the statement that rocket launches had similar environmental impacts to changes in landscaping.
Dan Farber, an environmental law attorney at the University of California, Berkeley, said the program “conforms to the overall desire to eliminate environmental considerations and reviews.”
“Obviously, all Trump wants to do is sell in all these programs,” Farber added.
However, there is a more legitimate route. Marglis said the Commercial Space Launch Act does include a provision that allows the transport minister to determine that there is no need to protect “public health and property safety” laws in an attempt to exempt environmental laws. This will be done through the legal rulemaking process.
But the provision contradicts NEPA, which applies to any federal action with significant environmental impact, Margolis said.
“We believe that review is necessary to protect public health and safety, and NEPA applies,” he added.
NEPA comments provide valuable legal avenues for the worst of abuse, and Margolis said the order appears to be a response to the argument he made, in which the Center for Biodiversity sued several federal agencies and SpaceX instead of the Boca Chica launch in the Gulf of Mexico launched from Texas BOCA CHICA.
The site is located next to sensitive habitats to protected species, such as Ridley Sea Turtle in Kemp, which is on the verge of extinction. SpaceX launched its largest rocket ever, some of which exploded, raining throughout the area, metal and concrete. The debris caused a fire in the brush and covered dust six miles away.
It is well known that launching sound waves from the launch kills birds and other animals, and SpaceX is cited by Texas’s national environmental regulator because of the highly contaminated wastewater spit with mercury into adjacent waters.
Nevertheless, the FAA has not made any efforts to mitigate damage to the environment and claims that these issues cannot be reviewed in depth. Margolis said SpaceX has turned ecologically sensitive areas into “sacrificial areas” with the blessing of the FAA, and litigation is underway.
The order also appears to be aiming to help Musk struggle With California regulators, they have blocked SpaceX from expanding its shoreline launches, partially using its powers under the Coastal Area Administration Act to expand its mandate. Trump’s orders will give federal authorities more power to intervene and limit the decision-making power of state institutions.
Marglis said this part of the order was also illegal as Trump once again tried to change the law through the statute.
“It’s a point of talking to show that he’s supporting the industry, but at the end of the day, it’s not the way he says it could happen.”
Health & Wellness Contributor
A wellness enthusiast and certified nutrition advisor, Meera covers everything from healthy living tips to medical breakthroughs. Her articles aim to inform and inspire readers to live better every day.
