Elon Musk-owned AI startup xAI's supercomputer facility may have 'air pollution problem'
Human rights group, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has filed an intent to sue Elon Musk-owned artificial intelligence startup (xAI). The group announced the legal action this week over concerns about the
air pollution
caused by the company's
supercomputer facility
near predominantly Black communities in Memphis.
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The
xAI
data centre in
Memphis
, which is powered by gas turbines that emit pollution, started its operations last year, without applying for a permit at first, a report claims. Officials had previously stated an exemption allowed them to operate for up to 364 days without a permit. At a recent news conference, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) attorney Patrick Anderson, representing the NAACP, said that no such exemption exists for turbines, and the operation has now exceeded 364 days.
The SELC is representing the
NAACP
in its legal challenge against xAI and its permit application, which is currently under consideration by the Shelby County Health Department.
How Elon Musk's xAI is planning to reduce emissions from its supercomputer facility
According to a report by the news agency AP, the Musk-owned company has announced that the turbines in its supercomputer facility will feature emissions-reducing technology. xAI also highlighted that the company's significant economic contributions to the city including billions invested in the supercomputer facility, millions paid in local taxes, and the creation of hundreds of jobs.
Additionally, xAI said that it is also allocating $35 million to construct a power substation and $80 million for a water recycling plant to support the local utility, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, the report added.
However, critics of xAI's supercomputing centre argued that it is straining the power grid and emitting harmful pollutants, including smog, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and formaldehyde.
Critics, including the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), say the project violates the Clean Air Act and endangers nearby residents, who already face elevated cancer risks.
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They also claimed that xAI installed 35 turbines without proper oversight or community notification, exceeding the 15 allowed under its permit request.
The facility's permit classifies it as an 'area source' for hazardous air pollutants, prompting over 1,700 public comments and a petition to the EPA.
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