Musk’s Starbase, Texas, Becomes Official City

The Texas city of Starbase became official after SpaceX employees representing 212 of 283 eligible voters approved its incorporation during a Saturday vote according to Cameron County results. The 1.6 square-mile area now functions as a real city after electing Mayor Bobby Peden who serves as SpaceX VP and two commissioners who ran unopposed.

Through his X platform Elon Musk declared Starbase to be a genuine city. The Type C municipality possesses the right to impose a 1.5% property tax and can potentially obtain beach closure authority and highway control during launch operations if Texas passes relevant legislation. Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. from Cameron County opposes the proposed control measures because Boca Chica Beach remains accessible to the public.

The environmental community opposes SpaceX because of its light pollution and debris issues while the company faces $150,000 in 2024 fines for wastewater violations which they attribute to paperwork problems. The relocation of SpaceX operations to Texas through Starbase incorporation has increased SpaceX's local power base but the company faces ongoing disputes with residents and environmentalists regarding land management and ecological consequences.