SpaceX eyed 1,300 acres of public land; Texas governor-elect asks to hold off

SpaceX’s potential acquisition of Texas public land faces opposition. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa said she asked the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to take no action on a possible transfer involving about 1,300 acres in Cameron County until she takes office in January. The land includes Boca Chica State Park near the Elon Musk-led company’s Starbase rocket facility.

“It’s such an important resource, the Valley is so important to me as the place I am from, and I will never forget it,” Hinojosa told reporters when asked about the sale of the state park, KRGV reported. Hinojosa also noted that she discussed the issue with the department’s executive director, who said the matter wasn’t on the commission’s latest agenda. Her request is about the future of public land next to SpaceX’s operations and access to Boca Chica Beach. She is set to take office January 19, 2027.

What we know about SpaceX’s plans to buy Boca Chica State Park in Texas

Last month, Texas officials reportedly discussed a possible sale involving about 1,300 acres of public land to SpaceX. Officials also reportedly reviewed a draft commission agenda that included a discussion of transferring control of land in Cameron County, where Boca Chica Beach and SpaceX’s launch site are located. Environmentalists worried about the area's future opposed the plan. But the reported talks did not confirm a sale had been sanctioned or that SpaceX was guaranteed to acquire the property. The item was also reportedly removed from the final commission agenda. Hinojosa confirmed its absence to reporters and requested a pause during the transition, but she did not say whether the department had agreed to that request.

Gina Hinojosa sets terms for working with Elon Musk

Hinojosa also addressed her broader relationship with Musk during a recent CNN appearance with Jake Tapper, saying she remained open to working with his businesses.

“We can have a strong working relationship with Elon Musk and his companies, but it has to be on our terms,” she said. “It cannot be just running over the people of Texas, and that’s what changes now that I will be governor.” On Boca Chica, Hinojosa said she would continue monitoring the issue after taking office. She has not announced a final decision on how her administration would handle a potential transfer.