In the linked article, CNBC claims that SpaceX at Starbase in Boca Chica, TX had a release of mercury into the brackish estuary that surrounds it. The problem with this claim is that it is completely made up bullshit. The article linked the permit application from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality which they got the claim from and amplified a finding of 0.139μg/L which was below the regulated limit to into CNBC's claim. The permit application correctly states in its conclusions that mercury is below regulated limit of 1.3μg/L and thus no action is required.
To top it off, CNBC uses one of the local anti-SpaceX activist (ESGHound) as their source. He, along with Common Sense Skeptic and Thunderf00t, all have acute Elon Derangement Syndrome and too large of audiences.
You don't hate journalist enough. And they will do anything to stop Elon.
The messed up tables are on pdf pages 79 and 98. The laboratory findings are on pdf pages 177, 240, 358, and 421, showing amounts of <0.113 μg/L, 0.139 μg/L, <0.113 μg/L, and 0.139 μg/L respectively.
I worked in a lab that analyzed mercury samples regularly for regulatory purposes. Not familiar with Texas specifically, but those numbers seem quite low. I would be quite surprised if those were over the limit for that jurisdiction. And even if they are, it's a far far far cry from what would be considered "egregious."
The last link there is the Texas standards that I think apply to this case and its set to no more than 1.3 μg/L or about 10 times what was detected at Starbase. The only thing SpaceX has to fear are frivolous lawsuits from groups like SaveRGV.
In the linked article, CNBC claims that SpaceX at Starbase in Boca Chica, TX had a release of mercury into the brackish estuary that surrounds it. The problem with this claim is that it is completely made up bullshit. The article linked the permit application from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality which they got the claim from and amplified a finding of 0.139μg/L which was below the regulated limit to into CNBC's claim. The permit application correctly states in its conclusions that mercury is below regulated limit of 1.3μg/L and thus no action is required.
To top it off, CNBC uses one of the local anti-SpaceX activist (ESGHound) as their source. He, along with Common Sense Skeptic and Thunderf00t, all have acute Elon Derangement Syndrome and too large of audiences.
You don't hate journalist enough. And they will do anything to stop Elon.
The Permit: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/permitting/wastewater/title-iv/tpdes/wq0005462000-spaceexplorationtechnologiescorp-starbaselaunchpadsite-cameron-tpdes-adminpackage.pdf
The messed up tables are on pdf pages 79 and 98. The laboratory findings are on pdf pages 177, 240, 358, and 421, showing amounts of <0.113 μg/L, 0.139 μg/L, <0.113 μg/L, and 0.139 μg/L respectively.
The Regulation, pg. 34: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/water-quality/standards/2021/printer-friendly-2022-standards.pdf
I worked in a lab that analyzed mercury samples regularly for regulatory purposes. Not familiar with Texas specifically, but those numbers seem quite low. I would be quite surprised if those were over the limit for that jurisdiction. And even if they are, it's a far far far cry from what would be considered "egregious."
The last link there is the Texas standards that I think apply to this case and its set to no more than 1.3 μg/L or about 10 times what was detected at Starbase. The only thing SpaceX has to fear are frivolous lawsuits from groups like SaveRGV.