Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Apr 29
California regulators settle lawsuit and apologise to Elon Musk
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Apr 29

California regulators settle lawsuit and apologise to Elon Musk

14 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Apr 29
  • The California Coastal Commission acknowledged “improper” remarks at a 2024 hearing on SpaceX Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Santa Barbara.
  • Court filings say the commission will not consider SpaceX or Musk’s political beliefs, speech or labour practices in future regulatory actions, and will not require a coastal development permit for the launch programme.
  • SpaceX had alleged commissioners blocked a US Air Force plan to increase launches for political reasons; the case will be permanently dismissed, though the commission says it still has environmental concerns.
With state oversight weakened, who now holds SpaceX accountable for the environmental impacts of its frequent California rocket launches?
After apologizing to Elon Musk, can California's Coastal Commission still effectively regulate big tech without facing new bias lawsuits?