Introduction to Starbase
South Texas voters, mostly employed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, have approved a measure to incorporate a new city called Starbase in Texas’ Cameron County. The city will be located near the company’s Boca Chica Beach launch site on the Gulf of Mexico. The final tally was 212-6 in support of the measure, with only 283 people eligible to participate in the election.
The Road to Incorporation
The election took place after a petition gained enough signatures by February to force a vote. An analysis by The Texas Newsroom found that three in five of the eligible voters were SpaceX employees. The city will be led by three people with ties to SpaceX, raising questions about the company’s influence over the new municipality.
Implications of the New City
With the measure approved, SpaceX now stands to gain more control over the launch site. Currently, the company needs to get permission from Cameron County officials to close Boca Chica Beach for launches. However, a new bill, Texas Senate Bill 2188, could change that. The bill would give the power to approve beach closures to a municipality that meets certain conditions, including containing a spaceport and existing within a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico or its tidewater limits.
Regulatory Environment
As the bill makes its way through the state legislature, the federal government is seemingly losing its ability to constrain SpaceX. Under President Donald Trump, Musk’s company has worked to hamstring federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration. This could have significant implications for the company’s operations and the environment.
Conclusion
The incorporation of Starbase as a new city in Texas has significant implications for SpaceX and the regulatory environment. With the company’s influence over the city and the potential changes to state legislation, it is likely that SpaceX will have more control over its launch site and operations. As the company continues to grow and expand its presence in the region, it will be important to monitor the impact on the environment and the local community.
