Blue Origin requests permission to discharge rocket wastewater into Indian River.

Blue Origin has submitted a request to Floridas Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to allow the discharge of millions of gallons of rocket-related wastewater into the Indian River. The Brevard County Commission has expressed concerns and is inviting public input on the proposal.

According to a letter sent to the DEP, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000 is seeking permission to release both processed and untreated wastewater from its operations into the Indian River.

The plan involves initially directing the wastewater into an on-site stormwater pond before it flows into the river. The county commission will review the proposal at a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. While the commission does not have the authority to approve the permit, it may vote to request that the DEP hold a public hearing to address community concerns.

In its draft submission to the state, Blue Origin requests authorization to: discharge 0.467 MGD of processed wastewater and 0.015 MGD of non-processed wastewater into a 402,981-square-foot stormwater pond before release into the Indian River. Some of the water will receive treatment in the pond, but not all of it. The company states that the request is for the renewal of a permit that has been in place for nearly five years.

Local officials are worried about the environmental impact, particularly given ongoing investments to restore and protect the Indian River. Thats really troubling to me, especially when the community has invested in the half-cent sales tax and the Save the Indian River Lagoon tax, said Brevard County Commissioner Katie Delaney.

Experts in the aerospace sector note that large corporations do not always fully comply with environmental regulations. Industrial waste issues have been a recurring problem for the aerospace industry nationwide, not just in Florida, said Don Platt, a space professor at Florida Tech.

Blue Origin operates two launch sites: a ranch in Blue Horn, Texas, and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, where it launches the reusable New Glenn rocket. The companys most recent launch of New Glenn took place on Nov. 13, carrying NASAs Escapade spacecraft and Viasat technology toward Mars. Blue Origin claims New Glenn is designed to function like a commercial airliner but with cleaner fuel, promising reduced waste and operational costs.

In response to public concerns, Blue Origin stated, This is a renewal of an existing agreement that has been in place for more than five years. We are committed to maintaining responsible and compliant operations.

The Brevard County Commission meeting regarding this proposal will occur on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. Reporting for this story was provided by FOX 35s Esther Bower.

Author: Sophia Brooks