Remember when the Brownsville Economic Development Council through its mouthpieces Gilbert Salinas and Jason Hilts sang the praises of SpaceX coming to a pristine beach near you?
They held out the economic development carrot of 600 jobs at $50,000 annual salary apiece.
They said the launching of rockets using Falcon and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles would pose a minimal intrusion into the visiting of the beach, would not harm the environment and fragile ecosystem there, and that the fuel used to launch the craft was no more volatile than the kerosene you use in your campfire.
During the first public comment hearing at the Amigoland ITEC site, state, county and city officials packed the audience and lauded the coming of billionaire Elon Musk and his satellite launch plans.
But now, after reading the SpaceX Environmental Impact Statement, we learn that there will not be 600 jobs after all. In fact, if Musk gets enough "incentives" from Texas, Cameron County and the BEDC ($15 million so far) that will compete with the incentives from Florida, Puerto Rico and Georgia, there will be a total of 30 jobs to start in 2014 and will reach a peak of 150 in 2022. This includes permanent SpaceX employees and contractors. That's quite a comedown from 600, isn't it Gilbert and Jason?
And for that they are asking the public to restrict its access to Boca Chica Beach at least 12 – if not more time to allow for the inevitable launch delays – halt ship traffic at the Port of Brownsville and the Intercoastal Waterway, and expose the beach and its habitat and species to a monthly blast of soot and noise.
It will not be eight acres that will be affected by this.
The Boca Chica Preservation Society counters that: "This will not be the case. Launches need perfect weather, and are often rescheduled. The beach may be closed multiple times per month for that one launch, in addition to the weather-related closures that already take place.
Additionally, launches are often aborted for non-weather issues. For example SpaceX's last launch in November 2013 was re-scheduled twice. In Boca Chica terms, this would be 1 scheduled launch, but 3 separate beach closures. Finally, they describe something called a "wet dress rehearsal" in the draft Environmental Impact Statement. This is when the engines are fired with the propellant loaded. The beach would close for these too.
Minimal impact on environment and habitat for endangered species? These are SpaceX's own words on the Falcon and Falcon Heavy rockets they want to use out there:
"Falcon Heavy is the world’s most powerful rocket, a launch vehicle of scale and capability unequaled by any other currently flying. With the ability to lift into orbit over 53 metric tons (117,000 lb) – a mass equivalent to a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel – Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the cost. Falcon Heavy draws upon the proven heritage and reliability of Falcon 9. Its first stage is composed of three Falcon 9 nine engine cores whose 27 Merlin engines together generate nearly 4 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973, delivered more payload to orbit. Falcon Heavy was designed from the outset to carry humans into space and restores the possibility of flying missions with crew to the Moon or Mars."
Additionally, launches are often aborted for non-weather issues. For example SpaceX's last launch in November 2013 was re-scheduled twice. In Boca Chica terms, this would be 1 scheduled launch, but 3 separate beach closures. Finally, they describe something called a "wet dress rehearsal" in the draft Environmental Impact Statement. This is when the engines are fired with the propellant loaded. The beach would close for these too.
Minimal impact on environment and habitat for endangered species? These are SpaceX's own words on the Falcon and Falcon Heavy rockets they want to use out there:
"Falcon Heavy is the world’s most powerful rocket, a launch vehicle of scale and capability unequaled by any other currently flying. With the ability to lift into orbit over 53 metric tons (117,000 lb) – a mass equivalent to a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel – Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the cost. Falcon Heavy draws upon the proven heritage and reliability of Falcon 9. Its first stage is composed of three Falcon 9 nine engine cores whose 27 Merlin engines together generate nearly 4 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973, delivered more payload to orbit. Falcon Heavy was designed from the outset to carry humans into space and restores the possibility of flying missions with crew to the Moon or Mars."
But of course, not from Boca Chica.
As for the eight acres SpaceX boosters say will only be affected, think again. "They will fence 20 acres bordered by a 7-foot wide dirt access road for security patrol. The EIS states that most of the land within the fence lines will be disturbed at some point."
We need to be clear about this. SpaceX is not going to be launching manned craft or otherwise for NASA from Boca Chica. It is a strictly private money-making endeavor to service the satellite needs of private commercial enterprises. No, children, we will not go to the International Space Station, the moon, to Mars, or any other planet from Boca Chica. Brownsville was rejected as a site in 1961 because the flight path to launch to any of these places went over populated areas such as Florida and Cuba.
It still does.
Musk has gotten South Texas into a bidding war with the other sites. If a better deal is offered him elsewhere, what will we get for out troubles?
Dear Friends,
I just signed the petition: "Help Preserve Boca Chica & South Bay of Laguna Madre, the only Hypersaline Lagoon in Nation"
It would mean the world to me if you could also add your name to this important issue. Every name that is added builds momentum around the petition and makes it more likely for us to get the progressive social change we want to see.
Will you join me by taking action on this petition?
http://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/help-preserve-the-only-hypersaline-lagoon-in-the-nation
After you've signed the petition, please also take a moment to share it with others. It's super easy – all you need to do is forward this email.
Thank you!
juan
15 comments:
YAY! At last the truth is being told. As my friend said yesterday, quoting The Doors: "the time to hesitate is through."
How can a rocket launch site be feasible 25 miles from downtown Brownville. Imagine a canister falling on a school or downtown? To me this is a giganticScamJob.
Shut down traffic on the Intercostal? If that is not safe then SPI is not safe either, not to mention Florida and Cuba. There is a reason NASA setup on the EAST COST of Florida.
Our civic leaders could not wait to laud SpaceX. I went to the informational meeting and every politician there welcomed them with open arms. Not a one of the people that are supposed to be looking out for us said anything like "This could be good for us but we need to do are due diligence first and get a look at the environmental impact statement before we decide". I'm thinking that if Musk stopped short all our representatives would have brown smears on their faces. It's a shame the so called newspaper, the Brownsville Herald, has not asked the city to explain the difference between their claims of employment and good pay and what Musk told the feds about his plans. Of course, that would involve actually reading the EIS and digging into their archives for the city statements. Much easier to just write what they are told.
No worries about a very small handful of wackos. Come on down SpaceX.
Da Mayor will take the Money. He has deep pockets!
File this one under: "Playing With Mexicans." LOL!!!
Jake.
Musk has scammed Cameron County with smoke and mirrors. The dumb ass Mexicans that run this place are either too stupid or corrupt to see it.
Elon Musk will set up his project at our expense, hire mabey 200 workers at minimum wage to set up the site then scale down to 50 or 60 permanent workers, mabey less. The skilled personnel already work for Space-x and travel on (TDY) temporarily to the launch sites as needed. Remember Space-X already has rocket launch facilities in the U.S.. They don't want their highly skilled personnel sitting around waiting for the next rocket launch. After a few short years when it is no longer profitable they just say adios amigos and leave our Boca Chica Beach contaminate, polluted and destroyed. Off course they will leave some money behind. But it will be in the pockets of those public officials who are now promoting Space-X. WHO ?? Just look for those with the brown stains on their nose.
Save Boca Chica Beach.
Hey Space-X believers. Space-X and Orbital Sciences are only some of the private companies doing the dirty work for NASA. They are contracted by NASA and private companies to put space crafts and satellites in orbit. Who benefits from this?? These private rocket launch companies who can do the job much cheaper than NASA. Why? Very little government oversight. These contractors are only looking out for maximum profit, not making jobs, not caring about the our enviornment, no cares about what happens to Boca Chica Beach.
Don't fall for it hook line and sinker.
Spend an day at Boca Chica Beach and then decide about Space-X.
Fly me to the moon, remember la de frankie sinatra, mmm, makes me wonder is this space x project is for real or just like that huge Titan tire project, puro pedo???? Calling Mr Spacey? Hello Mr. Spacey?? will these space x rockets really fly or just fly to the closest bank to cash that huge Brownsville EDC check? HHHMMMM??? i am just left wondering and trying to caluclate how much wool they are pulling over our eyes. Where is my alegra book when i need it??? Good day.
It is just one Huge Scam operation!
Fly me to the bank so i can cashed that nice Brownsville PEPE's EDC check, how sweet it is baby. Its like taking candy from a baby oh yea.
This is all a Scam.
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