California regulators have issued an apology to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk as part of a settlement resolving a lawsuit that accused a state agency of political bias against the rocket company and its chief executive.
Settlement Details
As part of the agreement, the California Coastal Commission acknowledged that its members made “improper” statements about Musk's political beliefs during a 2024 hearing concerning SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch program. The commission stated in federal court documents filed on Tuesday that it “agrees that it may not consider irrelevant factors in performing its function and specifically agrees that it will not take into account the perceived political beliefs, political speech or labor practices of SpaceX or its officers in considering any regulatory action concerning SpaceX.”
Background of the Lawsuit
SpaceX had initiated legal action against the commission following its opposition to expanding the launch schedule for Falcon 9 rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base, located on the Southern California coast near Santa Barbara. The company alleged that the coastal commission engaged in political discrimination by refusing to approve a U.S. Air Force proposal to increase launch frequency at the federally owned base. The lawsuit claimed that commissioners voted against SpaceX due to their disapproval of Musk’s outspoken political views, thereby violating constitutional rights to free speech and due process.
Terms of the Settlement
Under the settlement, the case will be permanently dismissed, with both parties agreeing that the deal does not constitute an admission “of any liability or unlawful conduct.” Additionally, the commission agreed that it would not require a coastal development permit pertaining to SpaceX’s launch program in the state. Representatives for SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the settlement.
Commission's Statement
In a statement released on Wednesday, the coastal commission acknowledged that it had apologized for “irrelevant” statements made by its members. However, the commission reiterated its serious concerns about the impacts of increased rocket launches at Vandenberg on coastal resources. “These impacts include restrictions on public coastal access, harm to sensitive species and coastal habitat, as well as the frequency and intensity of sonic booms,” the statement said. “Federal law requires the federal government to provide information to and coordinate with the Coastal Commission on such issues. The federal government has yet to provide sufficient information to the Coastal Commission about these activities and their impact on the California coast.”
Context
The settlement comes as Musk is currently testifying in a separate legal battle with OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, a case that could have significant implications for the future development of artificial intelligence.
