Home / Environment / xAI Faces NAACP Lawsuit Over Unpermitted Power Plant
xAI Faces NAACP Lawsuit Over Unpermitted Power Plant
17 Feb
Summary
- Regulators will hold a hearing on xAI's new power plant plans.
- NAACP alleges xAI operates turbines without required air permits.
- The facility powers Elon Musk's AI data center, Colossus II.
Mississippi regulators are scheduled to conduct a public hearing this Tuesday concerning xAI's proposal to construct a gas-fired power plant. This plant is designated to supply energy to the company's Colossus II data center. The proceedings follow a lawsuit threat from the NAACP.
The NAACP has accused xAI of contravening federal law by installing and operating gas turbines without obtaining the requisite air permits. This action, they claim, is negatively impacting the air quality in Southaven, Mississippi, and the broader Memphis metropolitan area.
xAI is rapidly expanding its Colossus supercomputer infrastructure to train its Grok AI chatbot. The company has submitted permit applications for 41 permanent turbines and plans to operate temporary ones while these are reviewed. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's hearing presents the public's sole opportunity to voice concerns about the project.
The NAACP's letter of intent to sue cites potential violations of the Clean Air Act, specifically regarding the emission of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other pollutants. This situation mirrors a prior threat of legal action by the NAACP in 2024 over unpermitted turbines at the Colossus I site, which led xAI to remove some turbines and secure permits for others.
