Elon Musk's Missing Gas: The Strange Mystery Explained

SpaceX Starship Launch System Faces Scrutiny Over Fuel Source Details

Experts are indicating that a crucial environmental document, requiring U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval before SpaceX can commence testing of its largest rockets, lacks essential information regarding the origin of its fuel supply.

Draft Environmental Assessment and Facility Operations

The draft programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) for SpaceX’s Starship and Super Heavy launch vehicles – vehicles Elon Musk intends to propel into orbit and ultimately towards Mars – was released last month by the FAA for public review.

This 142-page document details the construction and ongoing operations at SpaceX’s Boca Chica, Texas facility, which Musk envisions becoming the city of Starbase. It encompasses pre-launch procedures, rocket testing, launch and landing protocols, and the provision of fuel, water, and electricity.

Power Plant and Fuel Supply Concerns

A novel pre-treatment system will refine and chill natural gas, converting it into liquid methane fuel for the Starship and Super Heavy rockets. Significantly increased gas volumes will also be necessary for a new 250-megawatt gas-fired power station.

Such a power plant typically provides electricity to over 100,000 households and can incur costs reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. While rocket launches receive substantial attention within the PEA, the new power plant is only briefly addressed.

Specifically, the method for delivering the tens of millions of cubic feet of gas required daily to SpaceX’s isolated facility near the Mexican border remains unclear.

Potential NEPA Violations

Pat Parenteau, professor of law and senior counsel at Vermont Law School’s Environmental Advocacy Clinic, asserts that omitting this information from the PEA is atypical and may violate the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

“NEPA is often referred to as the ‘look-before-you-leap’ law,” Parenteau explained. “Its purpose is to inform federal decision-makers about the environmental consequences of their actions and potential mitigation strategies.”

Pipeline and Alternative Fuel Sources

Typically, natural gas is transported to power stations via pipelines. A federal agency official revealed to TechCrunch that SpaceX had previously inquired about reactivating a disused natural gas pipeline traversing the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

“Their intention is to reactivate the pipeline for methane transport, rather than relying on trucking as they currently do,” the official stated, requesting anonymity.

However, records indicate that the pipeline was permanently decommissioned in 2016 and now accommodates fiber optic cable for a University of Texas Rio Grande Valley internet connection.

Logistical Challenges of Trucking Fuel

Transporting sufficient natural gas to support both the power plant and frequent rocket launches via truck would be a substantial logistical challenge, requiring thousands of tanker deliveries annually, according to an engineer consulted by TechCrunch.

SpaceX has even explored the possibility of drilling for gas independently, as initially reported by Bloomberg. The company stated in a dispute over abandoned gas wells that it possesses “a unique ability to utilize natural gas with different economic incentives that do not depend on transportation or sale to gas markets.”

Environmental Impact Disclosure

Regardless of the chosen method, Parenteau emphasizes that the environmental impact should have been detailed in the PEA.

“Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, and courts have mandated that any project involving methane must consider impacts from the wells themselves, pipeline distribution, and the downstream effects of gas combustion,” he stated.

Missing Equipment Details

An environmental engineer studying the Starbase project, writing on their blog, noted that the PEA also fails to mention typical equipment found in gas power and treatment plants, such as a thermal oxidizer, ammonia storage tanks, and gas flares. These components all contribute to environmental impacts, including a carbon footprint and air pollution.

FAA Response and SpaceX Silence

The FAA issued the following statement: “The draft assessment was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other relevant environmental laws and regulations.”

SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment. However, Elon Musk addressed the company’s reliance on fossil fuels during a Tesla shareholders’ meeting, stating, “I’m like, ‘Yeah, but it would hurt SpaceX.’” He further noted that methane ultimately decomposes into carbon dioxide, concluding, “Don’t worry too much about methane.”

Facility Size and Water Requirements

The gas power station, with an approximate size of 5.4 acres and structures reaching 150 feet in height, will operate continuously, 24/7, according to the PEA report. A small (1 megawatt) solar farm is also present, with SpaceX intending to expand its capacity.

SpaceX requires the gas power station to operate a new desalination plant, producing the millions of gallons of freshwater needed annually for sound and fire suppression during launches. Significant electricity will also be used to produce liquid oxygen from the atmosphere.

Clean Air Act Implications

Parenteau and another expert indicate that a 250-megawatt power station would typically be classified as a major new source of air pollution under the Clean Air Act, triggering another extensive environmental review.

“More than 50 years after NEPA’s enactment, I am surprised to see an agency proceeding in this manner,” Parenteau remarked. “Perhaps they are hoping this will go unnoticed?”

Next Steps and Potential Delays

Following the November 1st close of the public comment period, the FAA will either issue a final PEA, allowing SpaceX to proceed (subject to safety evaluations), or announce its intention to prepare a more comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), a process that typically spans several years.

If the final PEA is deemed insufficient under NEPA or the Clean Air Act, community groups or environmental organizations could initiate legal action to compel the FAA to prepare an EIS, potentially delaying a Starship orbital launch.