Supports Effort To Lure SpaceX Launch Facility In Boca Chica Beach

A bill passed by the Texas Legislature to allow for the construction of a launch facility on the Texas coast has been signed into law by Governor Rick Perry (pictured). The bill is part of an effort on the part of the state to lure SpaceX to Texas for its launch operations.

The law expresses support for the construction of the facility should SpaceX decide to make Boca Chica Beach on the south Gulf Cost of Texas its new launch home. But Texas faces competition from Florida, Puerto Rico, and Georgia for the spaceport.

the bill, which was co-authored by State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, (D-San Benito), would prevent the beach from being closed on summer weekends and holidays unless SpaceX has to re-schedule a launch, and can show that not launching on one of the prohibited days would cause "significant adverse business consequences." It would also require the approval of the state's General Land Office before a launch can be attempted.

“We’ve balanced the people’s access to their beach at times of peak usage and we have shown a world-class company that Cameron County and Brownsville are doing everything in our power to bring them to South Texas,” said bill co-author State Rep. Rene Oliveira, (D-Brownsville), according to a report appearing in the Brownsville Herald.

The beach would be closed for an estimated 15 hours on launch days, according to Oleveira. The Senate version of the House bill was shepherded through that body by State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville).

FMI: http://governor.state.tx.us