Elon Musk set to tighten his grip over South Texas community
On the dusty outskirts of Boca Chica, Elon Musk’s vision of the future is quickly becoming a political reality.
The Texas Legislature is considering two bills that would expand SpaceX’s power in South Texas, while an upcoming election could turn Starbase into a company town—a move that could entrench Musk’s control over the region.
SpaceX’s site at Boca Chica was selected by the company all the way back in August of 2014 and had their first launch at the site in April of 2023. For the first 10 years of Starbase’s existence, Musk and SpaceX had a good relationship with local Cameron County officials, however that relationship has begun to sour.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) documented at least 14 environmental complaints about SpaceX’s operations between August 2023 and July 2024. The company’s environmental impact in the region has also drawn the attention of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, who have filed a lawsuit against the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission after they agreed to a land swap that would give 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX. The Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe considers Boca Chica Beach to be sacred ground and they do not trust SpaceX or Elon Musk as stewards of the land.
In addition to the environmental impact, SpaceX’s operations have also affected local businesses and residents by forcing closures of State Highway 4 (SH-4) any time the company needs to move heavy equipment. SH-4 is the only highway local residents can use to access Boca Chica Beach and State Park. Currently, Cameron County has the authority to close the highway, and typically issues advanced notices to residents. Yet, Elon Musk’s Republican allies in the Texas Legislature now seem poised to give his company even more power over the community.
The Texas Legislature is considering two bills that will give Musk and his company greater control over SH-4. House Bill 4660 and its companion bill, Senate Bill 2188, would take control over SH-4 away from Cameron County and give it to SpaceX. The bills would give SpaceX complete authority to control SH-4 for most weekdays, while Cameron County would retain control on Friday-Sunday.
State Sen. Adam Hinojosa (R-Corpus Christi), who authored SB 2188, notably took a $700,000 campaign donation from Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC—a Musk-aligned group. It was the largest contribution of his 2024 cycle. State Rep. Janie Lopez (R-San Benito), the author of HB 4660, received a donation of over $850,000 from the Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC—a striking example of how legalized bribery takes place in Texas.
In addition to this pair of bills, local residents have an upcoming election on May 3 to decide whether to incorporate as a company town called Starbase, Texas. If successful, three SpaceX employees would become the town’s Mayor and commissioners, as they are running unopposed. This would grant control over access to the beach and Boca Chica State Park to a private company, which critics argue would significantly restrict access to a beach used by local residents, many of whom are poor and working class.
As lawmakers move to enshrine Musk’s foothold in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texans are left to wonder: who will really shape their future?