Overview

• The incorporation shifts zoning, permitting, and governance authority from Cameron County to a SpaceX-aligned city commission.
• Bobby Peden, a SpaceX vice president, was elected unopposed as the first mayor of Starbase, Texas.
• Environmental groups and local activists have raised concerns about public beach access and potential ecological harm from increased rocket activity.
• Starbase will now be subject to open-meetings and public-records laws, introducing new transparency requirements for its operations.
• A pending Texas legislative bill could transfer authority over Boca Chica Beach closures from the county to Starbase commissioners, further consolidating control.