Cameron County commissioners urged to deny SpaceX dune protection permit

The Cameron County Commissioner’s Court meeting on July 8, 2025, featured significant discussions regarding the permitting process for SpaceX, particularly focusing on agenda items 4e and 4f. The meeting highlighted concerns from community members about the environmental impact of SpaceX's proposed activities.

During the meeting, a speaker raised objections to the SpaceX construction certificate and dune protection permit, urging the commissioners to deny the permit. The speaker outlined 13 specific failures by SpaceX to meet the necessary court requirements, including inadequate documentation to justify the proposed site as the only viable option and insufficient plans to minimize environmental damage to local dunes and vegetation. The speaker emphasized that the mitigation strategies presented by SpaceX were lacking and did not adequately address the potential harm to the environment.

Another speaker, Becca Hanejosa, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, echoed these concerns. She urged the commissioners to vote against the construction certificate and dune protection permit, while also advocating for a public hearing with at least 30 days' notice to ensure community input. Hanejosa stressed the importance of local voices in the permitting process, highlighting the need for the county to prioritize community interests over state regulators.

The discussions at the meeting underscore the ongoing tension between development projects and environmental protection in Cameron County. The commissioners are now faced with the challenge of balancing economic growth with the community's environmental concerns as they consider the future of the SpaceX permit.