Black Hole Threatens Vandenberg’s Future

by Andy Caldwell

Decades ago, Motorola was trying to launch satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base and the company was about to give up doing business here because of the risks associated with what they called “the black hole of environmental review that exists in Santa Barbara County.” While cooler heads eventually prevailed, I regret to inform you, the black hole is back.

Today, Vandenberg Space Force Base and launch service providers such as United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX would like to provide new launch capabilities and technologies. Agencies at Vandenberg aim to achieve a new launch enterprise designation of a Spaceport that will deliver innovative launch programs that demand higher launch rates. Unfortunately, the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is standing in the way of contractors by stifling progress, delaying schedules, and escalating project costs while exerting unfortunate regulatory overreach. Moreover, the California Coastal Commission is also seeking to assert jurisdictional authority and control.

All such delays and costs can certainly discourage new and existing launch providers from bringing their programs to Vandenberg and it wouldn’t be the first time.

The most recent example is one where the APCD refused to flexibly accommodate delivery, transportation, and installation of some very large, expensive, and mission-critical fuel holding tanks for the new Vulcan launch program. These tanks are one-of-a-kind vessels that will be used to propel launch vehicles into the atmosphere. They are essential to both the private sector and National Security Space Launches.

Rocket Tanks Tied Up In Red Tape

Two of the largest tanks can hold 250K gallons each and they weigh nearly 1,000,000 lbs. apiece. The logistics involved in trying to get them delivered and installed is a huge task involving teams of contractors, agencies, and specialized equipment costing millions of dollars. The tanks can only be delivered by barge after having passed through the Panama Canal on their way to the South Vandenberg boat dock, a popular delivery point for large rocket segments and other heavy equipment that has been in use for decades.

The APCD is tying up the project in red tape as it pertains to the emissions from the barge while it is off our coast. Never mind that it has already traveled thousands of miles. One restraint imposed by the APCD would require the barge to return to the harbor in Ventura in the event it is unable to dock at Vandenberg on the scheduled day due to bad seas or uncooperative tides. The argument is that exhaust from the boat adds to the emissions by idling offshore. In past situations like these, boats have been allowed to wait offshore near Vandenberg until weather and tides were more cooperative, saving the cost of fuel.

The APCD is also trying to make a big deal about the emissions from heavy-duty equipment used in the delivery and installation process like trucks and cranes. The submittal and approval process for permits are arduous and lengthy, and they can take months to receive approval, meaning mounting time and opportunity costs. These delays ripple throughout the entire program by bumping and shifting priorities, while putting the entire program at risk.

It is hard to believe the emissions’ tradeoff between idling offshore or the back-and-forth to Ventura is worth the added effort and cost. This is only one example of the unreasonable regulatory overreach exerted by the APCD. The insult to injury? Local governments, including the County of Santa Barbara, are paying REACH, a local organization, to promote the launch industry at Vandenberg. Instead, our county supervisors, who, along with other elected officials govern the APCD, could save taxpayers money by simply directing the APCD staff to stop the overreach that threatens progress, our economy, and national security.

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