Elon Musk's xAI Supercomputer Plant Accused Of Spreading Pollutaints Over Black Neighborhoods

Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, is causing controversy in Memphis, Tennessee, where it built a massive supercomputer called "Colossus." Since operations began last summer, residents and environmental groups claim the facility has become one of the county's largest air polluters. A public hearing is scheduled for Friday, where community members and officials will weigh in. In the lead-up, secretive fliers claiming xAI has "low emissions" were distributed to historically Black neighborhoods, while environmental groups gathered evidence showing otherwise.

The Southern Environmental Law Center revealed xAI quietly moved in 35 methane gas turbines without air permits. "This many generators have the capacity to power an entire city and are enormous emitters of toxic and carcinogenic pollution," the group said, using satellite images to expose the turbines. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a supporter of xAI, stated that although 35 turbines are onsite, only 15 are active and have a pending permit application. "There are 35, but there are only 15 that are on," Young said.

However, new thermal images captured by the Southern Environmental Law Center showed 33 turbines emitting significant heat, suggesting they were operating simultaneously. "It is appalling that xAI would operate more than 30 methane gas turbines without any permits or any public oversight," said Amanda Garcia, a senior attorney with the center. Neither xAI, Mayor Young, nor the Shelby County Health Department responded to requests for comment.

Artificial intelligence requires substantial energy, most of which in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels. xAI's facility sits near predominantly Black neighborhoods historically burdened with industrial pollution, higher cancer and asthma rates, and lower life expectancy. Residents recently received anonymous fliers from a group called "Facts Over Fiction," claiming xAI's turbines are "cleaner tech" and "specially designed to protect the air we all breathe," even though both the EPA and county health officials said no permits were issued.

Tennessee State Representative Justin Pearson condemned the fliers, saying, "They're lying to us about xAI's methane gas pollution," and added, "we have to combat the lies and misinformation. Clean air is a human right." He urged residents to show up at Friday's hearing to demand accountability.

A late April public hearing at Fairley High School drew a passionate crowd demanding the Shelby County Health Department deny xAI's permit to run 15 natural gas turbines permanently. State Rep. Justin J. Pearson and other speakers called on local officials to act, while attendees criticized the Greater Memphis Chamber and xAI for withholding information, with Pearson declaring, "Our lungs are not for sale to xAI or Elon Musk."

Link: The Guardian