Texas environmentalists lose bid to block Musk’s SpaceX from closing beach
Ruling means Boca Chica Beach, located near sprawling Starbase site, likely to close during future rocket launches
TL;DR
- SpaceX can close Boca Chica Beach during rocket launches following a Texas Supreme Court ruling.
- Environmental organizations Save RGV, the Sierra Club, and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas sued to prevent closures.
- The court ruled the environmental groups lacked legal standing to sue, upholding a lower court's dismissal.
- The lawsuit challenged a 2013 state law allowing SpaceX to temporarily close the beach for safety during launches.
- The 2009 Texas constitutional amendment protecting beach access was found by the court not to grant private parties the right to sue for enforcement.
- Critics argue the ruling prioritizes SpaceX's interests over Texans' constitutional rights to beach access.