Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry expressed support for SpaceX’s proposed $100 billion launch facility, scheduled to be built on a former Exxon property in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. During an interview with CBS News, Landry dismissed fears about the potential negative environmental impacts of the project. He stated his primary concern is the region’s lack of economic opportunities and the need to revitalize the coast.

The new spaceport will be SpaceX’s fourth and largest launch site, dedicated to the Starship, a reusable rocket launch system currently under development. The governor emphasized the economic benefits, citing the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) report, which forecasts more than 11,000 new jobs, including 3,000 direct and over 8,000 indirect opportunities.

SpaceX faced environmental scrutiny over its Boca Chica, Texas operations, where the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality discovered multiple violations of environmental regulations due to pollutant releases. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 office had previously noted breaches of the Clean Water Act by the company.

In response to these concerns, SpaceX has committed to collaborating with federal and state agencies, as well as conservation groups, to safeguard and restore Louisiana’s shoreline and wetlands. CEO Elon Musk thanked state partners for their support, citing the project as pivotal in making space travel as common as air travel. He praised Louisiana for its partnership and the collective effort to create an inspirational launch facility.

Construction of the spaceport is slated to start next year, with the inaugural launch planned for 2029. Governor Landry described the partnership with SpaceX as “the greatest marriage that Louisiana has ever had,” reiterating his confidence in the project’s benefits for the state.