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Proposed SpaceX Launch Site in Texas Draws Concerns

The company behind the commercial spacecraft that landed successfully in the Pacific Ocean on Friday after a mission to the International Space Station wants to come to the Rio Grande Valley. But the launch pad it is considering building has raised concerns among environmentalists and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department because of the proposed site's proximity to endangered animals and other wildlife.

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Environmentalists petition against Brownsville launch site

An Austin-based environmental group has launched an online petition drive to stop SpaceX from building a launch pad near Brownsville.

Environment Texas says the rocket launch would endanger the wildlife in the Boca Chica beach area, which is the site SpaceX, or Space Exploration Technologies, is considering in Texas.

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Spaceport plan in Texas raises wildlife concerns

A proposed spaceport in South Texas could harm endangered falcons, ocelots and sea turtles, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told federal officials this week — a concern echoed by environmentalists who say the project should not be built on land bounded on three sides by a state park and national wildlife refuge.

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Environment Texas attempts to stop SpaceX spaceport

As Texas appears to be getting more serious about enticing SpaceX to build a spaceport near Brownsville an environmental group has stepped forward to oppose the project.

At issue is the threat of “noise, heat, vibration, fencing and hazardous material spills” from the proposed spaceport that could lower the value of nearby Boca Chica Park and the Lower Rio Grande Valley Natural Wildlife Refuge.

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Editorial: New buildings can and should save energy

Buildings use 40 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. Far too much of that, experts say, is just plain wasted, the result of inefficiencies such as crummy insulation, inefficient hot water heaters and leaky ducts, doors and windows. "Nearly all new buildings in Texas use energy inefficiently," says Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, "as if the windows were left open with the AC running."

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