SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is celebrating after president-elect Donald Trump announced plans to ease environmental restrictions for companies investing $1 billion or more in the U.S. The initiative, shared via Trump’s Truth Social, promises expedited approvals and permits, including environmental clearances, for significant investors.
“GET READY TO ROCK!!!” Trump exclaimed. Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, called the announcement “awesome” in a post on X, the platform he owns.
The proposal suggests a dual system of environmental rules: lenient regulations for wealthy investors and stricter ones for everyone else. This aligns with Trump’s history of rolling back environmental protections, often favoring fossil fuel production. Trump has also criticized initiatives like the Green New Deal, labeling them wasteful.
Musk’s stance on environmental issues has shifted notably. Once a proponent of sustainable energy, he outlined ambitious plans in his 2006 “Secret Master Plan” to transition from fossil fuels to solar electric systems. However, Tesla quietly removed the manifesto from its website earlier this year.
Recent reports paint Musk as increasingly indifferent to environmental concerns. Tesla’s Austin factory was found to be leaking hazardous wastewater, violating local regulations. Similarly, SpaceX’s “Starbase” in Texas has faced criticism for threatening nearby nature reserves with its Starship rocket launches. The company also faces a lawsuit over unpermitted wastewater discharges.
Concerns extend beyond Earth. Researchers warn that SpaceX’s Starlink satellites release chemicals into the upper atmosphere during their deorbiting phase, potentially harming the environment in ways scientists are only beginning to understand.
Musk has openly criticized regulatory agencies, with SpaceX suing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for alleged overreach. Trump’s new policy amplifies this sentiment, seemingly favoring the ultra-rich by allowing them to bypass environmental rules.
This approach could exacerbate environmental harm while benefiting billionaires like Musk. Ultimately, these actions may leave ordinary citizens to bear the consequences, highlighting growing inequities in how environmental protections are applied.
By prioritizing corporate interests over environmental safeguards, the initiative risks undermining efforts to address climate change, placing profits above the well-being of future generations.
Reference- Futurism, X-handles, Aljazeera, , CBC, The Wall Street Journal, Politico