SpaceX loses bid to control beach access near launch facility in Texas

SpaceX’s Starship booster returns to the launch pad during a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on January 16, 2025.

Lawmakers have rejected a bill that would grant Elon Musk’s SpaceX more control over a highway and public beach near its Starbase launch site in Boca Chica, Texas. The decision comes as residents of the area vote on whether to incorporate the community into a city, with results expected on Saturday.

The Texas House State Affairs Committee voted against the bill, which would have given SpaceX authority over the highway and beach access. The company has faced challenges with road and beach closures for test flights and launches of its Starship rockets, which Musk envisions for future Mars missions.

SpaceX’s actions have led to legal complaints and protests from local residents and environmental activists, including the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas. SpaceX has also faced fines for environmental violations in the area.

The company’s influence in local governance has raised concerns, with Musk endorsing Donald Trump for president and now serving as an advisor with power over spaceflight and environmental regulations. Under Trump’s administration, regulations on air pollution and wastewater have been targeted for elimination.

SpaceX’s Tim Hughes and Republican State Representatives Gina Hinojosa and Janie Lopez did not respond to requests for comment on the rejected bill.