CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

California’s Coast Is Not a Launchpad for Billionaires

A dramatic increase in SpaceX rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base is planned. Residents may regularly feel the impact of sonic booms on their homes and bodies.

The California Coastal Commission denied approval for increased SpaceX launches because of concerns about coastal resources, wildlife, and compliance with state law. Yet federal authorities moved forward, and SpaceX responded by suing the Commission. A question to ask is: Who governs California’s coast—the people of California through environmental protections, or a private corporation backed by federal contracts?

California’s coast is home to........

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