Starbase, Texas became an official city after a vote this past weekend, with 212 votes in favor and 6 against. The city is centered around the SpaceX industrial complex. Bobby Peden, who has over a decade of experience with SpaceX, was appointed mayor. Jenna Petrzelka and Jordan Buss, both SpaceX employees, were elected as commissioners. Petrzelka is a philanthropist, and Buss is a senior director of environmental health and safety, according to CNBC.
"Starbase, Texas is now a real city!" Houston Press reported, as Elon Musk's involvement in the area sparks increased attention on the city's future policies and regulatory measures, particularly regarding environmental issues and public beach access. With a SpaceX-led government at the helm, questions have arisen about balancing independence and fair administrative practices.
A proposed bill could transfer authority for closing Boca Chica Beach from Cameron County to Starbase during weekdays. With Starbase gaining city status, SpaceX may have more control over environmental regulations, which has raised concerns after fines for wastewater dumping and a 2023 Starship explosion that caused a fire on nearby parkland. This has led to questions about accountability when the regulatory body is connected to the company it oversees. While Elon Musk’s influence in Washington is reducing, his role in Starbase is growing, with decisions increasingly tied to SpaceX’s interests. The future of Starbase will depend on balancing SpaceX’s goals with public and environmental concerns.
