Elon Musk has expressed disdain for environmental regulations, viewing them as obstacles to rapid innovation. He invested heavily in Donald Trump's campaign and briefly led a government efficiency initiative. Musk's companies are gaining influence in Texas, where environmental regulations are less stringent. ProPublica, the Texas Newsroom, the Houston Chronicle, and the Texas Tribune found that Musk's Boring Co. is vying for a Houston flood control project contract. Experts question the company's tunnel design and its potential impact on existing infrastructure. Boring Co. has previously skirted environmental regulations in Las Vegas and faced violations in Texas. xAI, Musk's AI company, started a data center in Memphis, Tennessee, without proper permits. The company used gas generators, causing environmental concerns for the surrounding community. SpaceX, another Musk-owned company, has faced issues with environmental regulations during Starship launch tests in Texas.