California regulators have apologized to Elon Musk as part of a settlement with SpaceX, ending a lawsuit that accused the state of political bias.
The dispute centered on the California Coastal Commission, which had opposed expanding Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. SpaceX argued the decision was influenced by commissioners’ views on Musk’s political positions rather than regulatory concerns.
As part of the agreement, the commission acknowledged that some members made “improper” and irrelevant remarks about Musk’s political beliefs during a 2024 hearing. It also committed to excluding political views, speech, or labor practices from future regulatory decisions involving the company.
The case will now be permanently dismissed, with both sides stating the settlement does not admit any wrongdoing. The commission also agreed it would not require additional coastal permits for SpaceX’s launch program.
Despite the resolution, the agency maintains concerns about the environmental impact of increased rocket launches, including effects on coastal habitats, public access, and noise from sonic booms.
The settlement comes as Musk is simultaneously involved in a separate legal dispute with Sam Altman, highlighting ongoing tensions across both the space and AI sectors.