Center for Biological Diversity v. Federal Aviation Administration

Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations filed a lawsuit in federal district court in the District of Columbia challenging the Federal Aviation Administration’s authorization of the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at Boca Chica, Texas. The plaintiffs asserted violations of NEPA and the Administrative Procedure Act, including for failing to take a hard look at the launch program’s contribution to climate change. The complaint alleged that the Super Heavy rocket holds up to 3,700 metric tons of methane, which will have to be vented into the atmosphere.