SpaceX’s plans to launch more rockets from the California coast were rejected by a state commission this week,” the Los Angeles Times reports, “with some officials citing Elon Musk’s political posts on X and raising concerns about the billionaire’s labor record at his companies.” The California Coastal Commission (CCC) rejected the SpaceX plan “despite assurances from Space Force and Air Force officials that they would increase efforts to monitor the effects that rocket launches have on nearby wildlife.”
In August, the commission asked Space Force to monitor more closely how sonic booms affect southern sea otters, California red-legged frogs, the western snowy plover and the California least tern. “I’m beyond pissed,” proclaimed commissioner Susan Lowenberg. “I don’t understand why our own government is thumbing their nose at another branch of our government.” Perhaps this is because this “branch of government” was not elected by the people.
Lowenberg is a 2023 appointee of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and all commissioners are appointed by the governor, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Assembly Speaker. In the Space Force matter, the Lowenberg Corporationpresident enjoys the support of fellow commissioners.
“We don’t want to stop the rockets, we don’t want to stop their satellites, and we........