Gilbert Salinas Finds SpaceX Opposition Unexpected, Unwarranted

Brownsville Herald reporter Laura M. Martinez describes the posture of Gilbert Salinas in this way:    

"Gilbert Salinas, executive director of the Brownsville Economic Development Council, said he had anticipated some opposition to the project early on, but not after the public hearing took place on May 15."

Now, one might consider stated opposition or at least questioning of the proposed rocket launch site as a bit tardy if construction had been started, 600 local residents had been hired for good-paying jobs or an Environmental Impact Study had been completed and analyzed, but NONE of that has happened yet.  Actually, now is the VERY time to question the project, or at least its proposed location, not ten years down the line after we realize we again been boondoggled by the historically inept BEDC and done irreparable harm to our most precious ecological feature, Boca Chica beach.

In a genius move, SpaceX owner Elon Musk threw our community a giant psychological curve ball by stating publicly that greatly factoring in his decision to locate his launch station among three sites, Puerto Rico, south Florida and Cameron County, would be how receptive the individual communities were to his overtures.  That deftly shifted the microscope from peering at the merits of the project to seeing how high we could jump for it.

Our economically desperate community, emotions whipped up somewhat by social media,  became a huge pom pom squad for SpaceX.  The May 15 meeting at ITEC was not so much a public hearing as it was a pep rally for the project.  The mayor and city commission in attendance wore SpaceX insignias on their blazers without a deal having been struck.  How's that for negotiation skill?   It was as if Oprah Winfrey had landed her helicopter in Market Square and given the city the keys to a brand new rocket launch pad.

But Elon Musk is not Oprah Winfrey and there's no certainty his project will be self-funded.  His electric car company, Fisker, certainly wasn't, with $465,000,000 in loan guarantees coming from the U.S. taxpayer.  We can't assume billionaire Musk will pay his own way anymore than billionaire Jerry Jones paid for his own new Cowboy Stadium.  He will likely work the three sites he says remain in contention against each other to see who gives him the best deal.

But, back to the environmental considerations.  We're not fooled by Mayor Tony Martinez's statement that he's "done his due diligence."  Do you actually think Tony has completed his personal environmental impact study?  I don't either.  Nor am I particularly reassured by the words of BEDC's Gilbert Salinas:  "The wildlife has done just fine.  If anything, it has flourished because nothing else is built for miles before you get to the launch site."


Luke Metzger of Environment Texas states: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wrote that noise, heat, vibration, fencing and hazarduous material spills' from the project could harm endangered and threatened species and diminish the value of Boca Chica State Park and the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge."


There is also the fear that a launch site would pose a threat to the local eco-tourism industry.  A 2011 Texas A&M study reported:




"Nature tourism generates about $300 million a year in the Rio Grande Valley, creates 4,407 full or part-time jobs and $2.6 million in sales taxes and $7.26 million in hotel taxes. The Rio Grande Valley has been named the number two destination in North America for birdwatching and attracts visitors from all over the world to view almost 500 species of bird. The petition calls on SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to find suitable land for the project elsewhere."



Obviously, there's a lot at stake here, economically and ecologically.  It may be too soon to support or oppose the SpaceX project, until all of the facts are in.  

Will Brownsville Enter the Space Age with a Launch Pad Near Boca Chica?

As I listened somewhat mesmerized to Gilbert Salinas of the Brownsville Economic Development Corporation pitch the SpaceX concept to the City Commission on 5/1/12, it occurred to me that the young man's eyebrows formed a nearly perfect upside down "V" when he raised them, nearly duplicating the Spock character of Star Trek(Check out the video elsewhere on this blog if you don't believe me).  It's one of life's unexplainable synchronicities that likely means nothing unless the reincarnation of Gene Roddenberry comes to south Texas to do a remake of Star Trek.

     While we're appropriately skeptical and hesitant about any large project hyped in Brownsville because our inept AND corrupt politicians have in recent years flushed $60,000,000 of taxpayer money down the toilet bowl with the imaginary Port of Brownsville bridge, the Weir Project and Titan Tire, this deal may actually be real and impactful.  For one thing, the FAA is already authorizing preparation of an environmental impact statement.  For another thing, Space Exploration Technology or SpaceX has lined up 3 billion dollars worth of business and needs more launch sites.  Elon Musk, founder of PayPal and now, SpaceX  does not need Port of Brownsville officials to whisper sweet nothings in his ear over a $1600 meal.  He found Brownsville.  We did not find him.  Salinas readily admits that, stating that the proposal was filtered down through the State of Texas.  "We (BEDC) have a good relationship with the State of Texas."  Well, duh.  We would hope so.  

     With the environmental study on the way and a city meeting scheduled at ITEC on May 15, Salinas suggests we "choose our words carefully."  He intimates that 10 years ago a tiny town in New Mexico outhustled us for a similar setup.  Even Cape Canaveral could have been near Brownsville if everything had fallen into place.  

     The numbers are glossy:  $71,000,000 annual impact to the local economy with 50 million of that being in salary.  There is a bit of tourism associated with these projected once-a-month launches.  Salinas mentioned 7,000-10,000 visitors to observe each launch, a modest number compared to Canaveral's 40,000.   Salaries are described as starting at a $55,000 minimum.(I cornered Commissioner Estela Chavez at an event.  She said that the precedent at Cape Canaveral was for these jobs to initially be filled by move-ins, but down the line, as we got a more prepared work force to be filled locally.  BTW, she also stated that Boca Chica Beach would be  shut down for 4 hours once a month for the launches.)  

     Why Brownsville?  First and foremost, geographical location.  The closer to the equator, the easier the launch.  Go ask Tom Robinson at the Southmost library for the physics involved.  Tell him I sent you.  In a quick nutshell, the earth's rotation speed is fastest at the equator.  The rockets are launched east with the earth spinning at about 1,000 miles per hour in the other direction so it's like being flipped off of a sling shot.  Musk might have considered going further south but the Zeta and Gulf cartels do not make good neighbors.  Actually, in all seriousness, it has to be on U.S. soil, the further south the better.  As you know, Brownsville is the southernmost city in the continental U.S.  The missiles are aimed over water where so no population is affected.  Perfect aim splits the difference between CONUS and Cuba.  CONUS is a fancy name for continental United States.  When you go to Garcia's in Matamoros you're technically leaving CONUS.  

The area currently being scrutinized is near the dunes off Boca Chica and is accessed by the two-lane Highway 4.   SpaceX requires a 5 acre footprint inside a 50 acre buffer zone.  Residents within 2 miles of the proposed site approached by a Brownsville Herald reporter are not exactly thrilled with the prospect of a launch pad that close to their homes, although they understand the need for jobs and development.  

     So, I guess, we need to get our respectful questions ready for the May 15 meeting at ITEC and not act like a bunch of Neanderthals and chase this golden goose away.