Voters in South Texas, predominantly comprised of Elon Musk’s SpaceX employees, have approved a measure to officially establish Starbase as a new city in Cameron County. This location is near the Boca Chica Beach launch site along the Gulf of Mexico. The outcome of the vote reflected significant support, with a final tally of 212 votes in favor and 6 against, according to The Associated Press.
The election was prompted by a petition that secured sufficient signatures by February to compel a vote, with only 283 residents eligible to participate. Insights from The Texas Tribune noted that a significant portion of those participating—around 60%—were SpaceX employees. The governance of the city is expected to be overseen by three individuals affiliated with the company, as reported by the Tribune.
Musk shared his excitement about the city’s incorporation on X, declaring victory before the official vote count concluded. He stated, “Starbase is now officially a city.” This marks a significant step in his vision of creating a company town, which he first suggested in 2021.
With the approval of the city measure, SpaceX is poised to gain enhanced control over its launch operations. According to the Tribune, the company currently requires permission from Cameron County officials to close Boca Chica Beach during launches. However, pending legislation, Texas Senate Bill 2188, could potentially alter this requirement. The bill allows municipalities that meet specific criteria, such as housing “a spaceport” and being located within a Gulf Coast county, to approve beach closures independently.
As this bill progresses through the state legislature, federal oversight of SpaceX appears to be diminishing. Musk’s connections have previously enabled him to navigate regulatory hurdles, impacting key agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration.
