The city is set to reshape local governance while raising environmental concerns among some residents.
Elon Musk's SpaceX Launches Starbase City in Texas
Elon Musk's SpaceX Launches Starbase City in Texas
A new city officially titled Starbase has emerged in Texas after residents voted overwhelmingly for its incorporation, led by Elon Musk's SpaceX activities.
In a significant development for Elon Musk and SpaceX, the southern tip of Texas will now host an official city named Starbase. Following a recent election where 212 out of 218 voters—predominantly SpaceX employees—approved the incorporation, the city is poised for formal governance. Musk celebrated the outcome on his social media platform, declaring, “Starbase, Texas is now a real city!”
Covering roughly 1.6 square miles, Starbase was nearly uninhabited prior to SpaceX's acquisition of land starting in 2012. The new city will be governed by a mayor and two commissioners with authority over local issues such as taxation and planning. Interestingly, most candidacies for city positions came from SpaceX affiliates, with Bobby Peden, a SpaceX vice-president, set to become the inaugural mayor.
As a Type C city, Starbase will have fewer than 5,000 residents, allowing for a property tax of up to 1.5%. A proposed bill in the Texas legislature could further grant local officials the authority to manage highway closures and restrict access to Boca Chica Beach during rocket launches—issues that have already stirred contention among county officials.
Cameron County’s top official, Judge Eddie Trevino Jr., has expressed opposition to this bill amid concerns over environmental impacts caused by SpaceX, which include light pollution and damage to local wildlife. In 2024, the company faced a significant fine from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for improper wastewater dumping, which they attributed to administrative discrepancies.
While SpaceX continues to ramp up its launch frequency at Starbase—from an anticipated five to potentially 25 launches annually—tensions are mounting between county governance and the new city regarding environmental stewardship and regional infrastructure.
As Musk relocates more operations to Texas, many of his other ventures, such as X and Boring Company, have also set up bases in the area, indicating a broader trend of shifts in his corporate presence toward the Lone Star State.
Covering roughly 1.6 square miles, Starbase was nearly uninhabited prior to SpaceX's acquisition of land starting in 2012. The new city will be governed by a mayor and two commissioners with authority over local issues such as taxation and planning. Interestingly, most candidacies for city positions came from SpaceX affiliates, with Bobby Peden, a SpaceX vice-president, set to become the inaugural mayor.
As a Type C city, Starbase will have fewer than 5,000 residents, allowing for a property tax of up to 1.5%. A proposed bill in the Texas legislature could further grant local officials the authority to manage highway closures and restrict access to Boca Chica Beach during rocket launches—issues that have already stirred contention among county officials.
Cameron County’s top official, Judge Eddie Trevino Jr., has expressed opposition to this bill amid concerns over environmental impacts caused by SpaceX, which include light pollution and damage to local wildlife. In 2024, the company faced a significant fine from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for improper wastewater dumping, which they attributed to administrative discrepancies.
While SpaceX continues to ramp up its launch frequency at Starbase—from an anticipated five to potentially 25 launches annually—tensions are mounting between county governance and the new city regarding environmental stewardship and regional infrastructure.
As Musk relocates more operations to Texas, many of his other ventures, such as X and Boring Company, have also set up bases in the area, indicating a broader trend of shifts in his corporate presence toward the Lone Star State.
