NAACP sues Elon Musk's xAI over Memphis data center air pollution
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Elopn Musk, who is the world's richest person, has been counting on the greater Memphis area to serve as the backbone for xAI's buildout.
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The NAACP filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk 's xAI on Tuesday, accusing the artificial intelligence company of violating the Clean Air Act with its use of natural gas-burning turbines to power data centers in and around Memphis, Tennessee. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, alleges that between August and December 2025, xAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech, LLC, installed and operated 27 gas turbines in Southaven, Mississippi, "without an air permit or regard for the health and safety of people living nearby." The turbines emit smog-forming pollutants and particulate matter that can lead to increased health risks and an unpleasant odor, among other things. The NAACP is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief for the companies to "cease operating the Colossus Gas Plant unless and until they obtain the required permits; to apply the necessary pollution controls; and to pay appropriate civil penalties for each day of violation." "Our right to clean air is not up for negotiation, especially when companies prove expediency not people is their priority," Abre' Conner , NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, said in an e-mailed statement. xAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read more CNBC tech news Suspect in attack at Altman's house aimed to kill OpenAI CEO, warned of humanity's extinction from AI Oracle expands Bloom Energy deal days after receiving $400 million stock warrant Intel's stock hits 9-day winning streak, up 58% over that run OpenAI touts Amazon alliance in memo, says Microsoft has 'limited our ability' to reach clients Now owned by SpaceX after its merger this year, xAI has been using the natural gas-burning turbines for months at its facility in Southaven, Mississippi, claiming that no federal permit was required because they were only for temporary use. The company operates the Colossus 1 and Colossus 2 data centers in Memphis, just across the Mississippi state line. The comp...
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