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NAACP threatens to sue Musk’s xAI over Mississippi gas turbines powering data center
Environmental and civil-rights groups allege xAI's 27 gas turbines emit pollutants exceeding Clean Air Act limits, threatening health in frontline communities near Memphis data centers.
- On Feb. 13, 2026, the Southern Environmental Law Center and Earthjustice filed a notice of intent to sue xAI and MZX Tech LLC on behalf of the NAACP, citing Clean Air Act claims and serving a 60-day notice.
- At the Stanton Road power plant, public records show xAI installed 27 unpermitted turbines, with 18 turbines used since November to power the Colossus II data center.
- Thermal imagery and expert analysis show Floodlight's late January images reveal a dozen unpermitted turbines burning gas despite the EPA's recent ruling, while Mississippi state regulators classify them as portable/mobile units exempt from permits.
- A public hearing on Feb. 17 will consider xAI's permit application estimating over 6 million tons of greenhouse gases and roughly 75% natural gas power, affecting majority-Black neighborhoods.
- The notice filed February 13 follows a June 2025 60-day notice and previous county permissions for turbines at Colossus 1, highlighting ongoing legal and regulatory challenges.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Groups threaten suit over xAI turbines in Whitehaven
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An environmental group and the NAACP say they plan to sue Elon Musk's xAI over what they say are unpermitted gas turbines operating at the company's second data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center said Friday they had filed a notice of intent to sue xAI over alleged violations of [...]
Elon Musk’s xAI faces threat of NAACP lawsuit over air pollution from Mississippi data center
Nikolas Kokovlis | Nurphoto | Getty Images Elon Musk’s xAI, which merged with SpaceX last week, is facing increased pressure from environmental and civil rights groups over pollution concerns, this time at the company’s facility in Southaven, Mississippi. On Friday, the Southern Environmental Law Center and Earthjustice, on behalf of the NAACP, sent a notice of intent to sue xAI and subsidiary MZX Tech LLC, saying the company’s use of dozens of …
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