CC 2024-07-23_09i Letter of Support of SpaceX Operations at VandenbergItem 9.i.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Matthew Downing, City Manager
SUBJECT: Letter of Support of SpaceX Operations at Vandenberg Space Force
Base on Behalf of the City of Arroyo Grande
DATE: July 23, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the Mayor to execute a letter of support of SpaceX operations at Vandenberg
Space Force Base on behalf of the City of Arroyo Grande.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
No financial impact is projected as a result of sending the letter of support.
BACKGROUND:
Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) is the only launch site on the West Coast of the
United States and is viewed as the nation’s primary launch site for putting rockets into
polar orbit. The United States Government relies on launces from VSFB for critical
national security missions. The U.S. Government has extensively detailed the need to
increase its use of commercial space launch and commercial orbit capacity in support of
the national defense from VSFB. In order to meet these policy goals, the United State s
Space Force (USSF) has proposed increasing the number of annual launches that take
place at VSFB. The USSF indicates that there is a critical need for increased launch
capacity at VSFB.
One of the final steps in the approval process for this increased launch capacity is
permitting through the California Coastal Commission (CCC) in accordance with the
California Coastal Act of 1976. The CCC has previously approved up to 36 l aunches per
year for SpaceX, one of the commercial space launch operators at VSFB requesting
additional launch capacity at VSFB. However, concerns have been raised by the CCC
regarding impacts to coastal resources and coastal access as a result of increased
launches at VSFB, including environmental impacts and beach closures associated with
increased launches.
Page 181 of 184
Item 9.i.
City Council
Letter of Support of SpaceX Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Behalf
of the City of Arroyo Grande
July 23, 2024
Page 2
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The emerging space and aerospace industry on the Central Coast is a major driver for
the growth of the local economy and is a major component of the REACH 2030 10-year
action plan for the Central Coast economy. Increasing the frequency of launches at VSFB
would bring additional economic benefits to the region through direct and indirect job
creation, increased opportunities for small businesses, and enhanced infrastructure
development.
One of the concerns over increased launches is the impacts to coastal resources. The
USSF works with launch companies to mitigate environmental impacts, including
engaging in stringent monitoring. However, even when impacts are minimized, increased
SpaceX operations at VSFB could disrupt local wildlife habitats. Additionally, increased
operations are seen to have the potential of increased beach closures in the vicinity of
VSFB. Additionally, beach closures are also minimized to the maximum extent possible
and ample coastal access is available in surrounding regions.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Approve the letter of support for SpaceX operations at VSFB and authorize the
Mayor to sign the letter;
2. Do not approve the letter of support for SpaceX operations at VSFB; or
3. Provide other direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
The regional economic benefits, increases to national security, and continued innovation
in the aerospace industry are likely to result from the increased SpaceX operations at
VSFB and could outweigh costs identified by the CCC.
DISADVANTAGES:
Increased SpaceX operations could increase impacts to coastal resources and coastal
access due to additional launches per year.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website i n accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Letter of Support of SpaceX Operations at VSFB
Page 182 of 184
ATTACHMENT 1
July xx, 2024
California Coastal Commission
South Central Coast Division
89 S California Street
#200
Ventura, CA 93001
RE: SpaceX Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base
Dear Members of the California Coastal Commission:
First, I am writing with the official concurrence of the Arroyo Grande City Council.
We understand that the Coastal Commission has concerns surrounding both environmental
impacts and beach closures due to increased launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base. We
applaud the Coastal Commission’s vigilance and mission.
That being said, as the City of Arroyo Grande’s elected Council, we are writing to express our
strong support for increasing the number of SpaceX launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The City of Arroyo Grande provides its residents with a high-quality of life, but our region has long
struggled to create the type of head-of-household jobs that allow younger residents to afford to
live here. As our economy continues to transition, we are dependent on new industries – like
aerospace – continuing their growth to create the economic environment we need to thrive.
As a smaller community on the Central Coast, growing our regional economy and creating m ore
head-of-household jobs is one of our top priorities. The continued and expanded presence of
SpaceX at Vandenberg SFB presents a significant opportunity. The increased frequency of
launches will not only bolster our standing as a leader in aerospace and innovation, but it will also
bring numerous economic benefits. The direct and indirect job creation, increased business for
local vendors, and enhanced infrastructure development are all positive outcomes that will flow
from this expansion.
In addition to the economic impacts, the strategic importance of Vandenberg SFB for national
security and space exploration cannot be overstated. Increasing the number of launches will
enhance our capabilities in satellite deployment, scientific research, and national defense. This
dovetails with California’s vision of being at the forefront of technological advancement and space
exploration. The benefits of this initiative are substantial and align with our region’s broader
economic goals, as well as our country’s national security.
With regard to the goals of the Coastal Commission, we believe that the monitoring requirements
already agreed to by SpaceX and the US Space Force will help limit the impacts of concern. As to
Page 183 of 184
ATTACHMENT 1
the beach closures, we understand that the proposed launch increase will not require more beach
closures at this time.
In short, the regional economic benefits as stated above far outweigh the costs identified by the
Coastal Commission. The increased launches do not eliminate the Coastal Commission’s
influence. Rather, it presents an opportunity to work together for the betterment of all.
The Arroyo Grande City Council urges the California Coastal Commission to approve the
application for additional SpaceX launches at Vandenberg SFB. This initiative represents a vital
step forward for our community, our state, and our nation.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Mayor Caren Ray Russom
City of Arroyo Grande
Page 184 of 184