Elon Musk Wants to Build a 32-Mile Natural Gas Pipeline for SpaceX in Florida — Truck Deliveries Can’t Keep Up With Starship’s Growing Fuel Demands: Report
Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) is seeking Florida regulatory approval to build a 32.4-mile natural gas pipeline in Brevard County, saying truck deliveries and existing local pipelines can no longer meet its growing fuel requirements for Starship operations at Cape Canaveral.
Florida Pipeline Targets Growing Starship Fuel Demand
According to a Reuters report on Monday, SpaceX subsidiary Coastal Connect Services has asked the Florida Public Service Commission to approve a tariff covering a new 16-inch transmission pipeline connecting customers with the existing Florida Gas Transmission interstate network. The company said the project would provide safer, faster and more efficient natural gas deliveries.
Natural gas would ultimately supply methane for Starship. SpaceX on its website says its Raptor engines burn sub-cooled liquid methane and liquid oxygen, with Starship and its Super Heavy booster designed around the methane-oxygen propulsion system.
The infrastructure push comes as SpaceX prepares to shift more Florida operations toward Starship. The company has already said future Starlink launches from Florida will move from Falcon 9 to Starship, while construction has begun on a new Starship launch complex at Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment.
SpaceX Extends Pipeline Strategy Beyond Florida
SpaceX is pursuing a similar strategy in Texas. Reuters reported in June that an affiliate planned an eight-mile "Starpipe" pipeline near Starbase to replace tanker-truck deliveries and support Starship’s large methane requirements. The project reflects Musk’s broader push to control more of SpaceX’s supply chain as the company targets dramatically higher launch rates.
Musk last month said Starship could eventually deliver between 1 million and 10 million tons to orbit annually, while SpaceX has discussed developing additional spaceports to support thousands of flights each year.
Scholl Criticizes Regulatory Approval Process For Pipeline
Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl criticized the regulatory hurdle on X.
"It is ridiculous that one needs bureaucratic permission to build in what was supposed to be the land of the free," Scholl wrote. "Gov’t should publish clear, simple, and reasonable rules and enforce them if broken. Pre-clearing projects is un-American."
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings show SpaceX maintaining a positive price trend across the short, medium and long term.
Price Action: SPCX shares were trading 0.92% higher at $172.66 in pre-market trading on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro.