NAACP intends to sue Musk’s xAI over Memphis data center emissions

Published 17/06/2025, 17:56
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sent a notice to Elon Musk’s xAI on Tuesday, indicating its plan to sue the company over alleged air pollution from its data center in Memphis.

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), acting on behalf of the NAACP, delivered the letter claiming that xAI has violated federal law by operating methane gas turbines at its South Memphis facility without obtaining necessary permits or implementing "best available" pollution controls.

SELC alleges that nearly all of xAI’s35 turbines are operating without required permits as of April. The center also noted that while the company had removed some smaller turbines, it recently added three larger ones.

"These turbines have pumped out pollution that threatens the health of Memphis families. This notice paves the way for a lawsuit that can hold xAI accountable for its unlawful refusal to get permits for its gas turbines," said SELC Senior Attorney Patrick Anderson.

The SELC stated that emissions from the data center worsen Memphis’s already poor air quality conditions.

Data centers powering artificial intelligence operations require substantial electricity around the clock. With clean energy deployment progressing slowly, the growing demand is being met by fossil fuels including natural gas and coal.

In response to the allegations, an xAI spokesman stated: "We take our commitment to the community and environment seriously. The temporary power generation units are operating in compliance with all applicable laws."

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