The Coastal Commission just killed future jobs and economic vitality along the Central Coast. This unelected body has decided to limit the number of space launches—and create expensive conditions. In the future the growth of this industry will not be in California. Want to know the cause of the California DOOM LOOP—look, in part, at the Coastal Commission.
“As Vandenberg expands operations, the Air Force has committed to completing a comprehensive environmental impact study on increasing SpaceX launches to 100 annually, he added. That analysis also will include a comprehensive look at cumulative impacts of the busy cadence for all launch firms.
At the end of his statement, Hatcher said he and other base representatives would not answer any questions, irking commissioners who viewed it as intentional disrespect.
“The notion that we actually have real oversight is kind of a joke,” Commissioner Susan Lowenberg said. “Thank for that. The fact that a representative from our own government won’t even stand up and answer basic questions is another joke.”
No, the punchline to the joke is the Coastal Commission.
With Conditions, Coastal Commission Approves Increasing SpaceX Launches at Vandenberg SFB
by Janene Scully | Noozhawk North County Editor, 8/8/24 https://www.noozhawk.com/commission-on-board-with-increasing-spacex-launches-at-vandenberg-but-with-conditions/
Members of the California Coastal Commission reluctantly granted conditional concurrence for SpaceX to boost the number of launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base to 36 annually, but the panel sought beefed up monitoring and other measures.
Meeting in Calabasas on Thursday and after hearing from local officials pushing for support and other commenters urging opposition, the commissioners unanimously approved the staff’s recommendation that included seven conditions relating to environmental impacts.
However, U.S. Space Force representatives rejected three of the conditions — improving on-base biological resource monitoring, implementing specific sonic boom avoidance and minimization measures, and monitoring off-base biological resource for sonic booms.
Col. Dorian Hatcher, vice commander for operations at Vandenberg’s Space Launch Delta 30, said the military’s environmental protection efforts include a staff of 40 people for the installation that boasts 42 miles of coastline.
“It’s important to highlight that we are safeguarding the environment at Vandenberg not only to achieve a concurrence for this consistency determination,” Hatcher said. “We do so, and have continually done so, because we are committed stewards, responsible members of the community, and we recognize it is not only our responsibility but our duty.”
As Vandenberg expands operations, the Air Force has committed to completing a comprehensive environmental impact study on increasing SpaceX launches to 100 annually, he added. That analysis also will include a comprehensive look at cumulative impacts of the busy cadence for all launch firms.
At the end of his statement, Hatcher said he and other base representatives would not answer any questions, irking commissioners who viewed it as intentional disrespect.
“The notion that we actually have real oversight is kind of a joke,” Commissioner Susan Lowenberg said. “Thank for that. The fact that a representative from our own government won’t even stand up and answer basic questions is another joke.”
Still, she noted, the commission’s approval of all seven conditions meant the military ultimately would be in violation of three, “and then we can go forward from there.”
Deputy Director Cassidy Teufel said staff identified gaps and needed improvements in the base’s monitoring program. Needed improvements that staff suggested include, for instance, a lack of launch-specific monitoring on how seals and sea lions react.
“They’re not looking anymore at what’s actually happening to them when a rocket goes up, when they’re subject to the sonic booms and they’re subject to engine noise,” Teufel said.
“We think that’s really important to understand.”
The commissioners have chafed at the limited review they have of SpaceX launches at Vandenberg since the military considers all liftoffs — private payloads or government satellites — as federal activities. That designation avoids SpaceX having to get a coastal development permit and limits the commissioners’ role.
“Whether we support or oppose this today, Space Force can move forward along with SpaceX and conduct their launches,” Commissioner Justin Cummings said. “I think what we’re trying to do today is to ensure that when these launches take place that they’re being done in a way that minimizes impacts to our natural environment and tries to mitigate those impacts to the greatest extent possible.”
The Coastal Commission is composed of Tin Gods, appointed by the bigger Political Gods to dictate and rule over the lives of Californians. Now they want to rule over the Military. The Coastal Commission lost 1 round. Game on! Space X will eventually move out of California and take all their experienced engineers and technicians with them. And the Coastal Commission will then claim victory for protecting the environment.