Elon Musk’s AI firm xAI faces a lawsuit from the NAACP regarding air pollution caused by unauthorized gas-burning turbines, impacting a Memphis community lacking proper environmental safeguards.
Elon Musk's xAI Sued Over Environmental Concerns in Memphis
Elon Musk's xAI Sued Over Environmental Concerns in Memphis
Legal action initiated by the NAACP argues that xAI’s gas turbines are polluting primarily Black neighborhoods without necessary permits.
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, is embroiled in a controversy as it faces a lawsuit led by the NAACP concerning alleged air pollution from its Memphis supercomputer facility. The community group has filed a notice of intent to sue, claiming that xAI has installed natural-gas-burning turbines without obtaining the proper permits, resulting in hazardous emissions affecting nearby predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, highlighted the disproportionate environmental risk posed to these communities, emphasizing the group's commitment to addressing what they describe as environmental injustice. Johnson stated, “We cannot afford to normalize this kind of environmental injustice, where billion-dollar companies set up polluting operations in Black neighborhoods without any permits and think they’ll get away with it.”
In response to the allegations, xAI released a statement asserting its commitment to environmental regulations and community welfare, insisting that the temporary power generation units are operating in accordance with applicable laws. The data center, which operates out of a former manufacturing facility, began its operations last year and is designed to support what Musk has described as the world’s largest supercomputer.
The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing the NAACP, contends that recent aerial images of the facility indicated the presence of 35 gas turbines, which have been linked to significant emissions of heat and pollutants. According to the organization, the power demands of the facility rival that of approximately 100,000 homes, raising concerns about its environmental impact on the surrounding area and its residents’ health.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the tensions between corporate interests and environmental justice continue to highlight the complexities of modern technological advancements and their implications for vulnerable communities.
