Concerns rise as the AI firm's facility allegedly pollutes predominantly Black neighborhoods, igniting a legal battle over environmental justice.
Elon Musk's xAI Under Fire for Environmental Violations in Memphis
Elon Musk's xAI Under Fire for Environmental Violations in Memphis
NAACP files lawsuit against xAI for operating unauthorized gas-burning turbines near vulnerable communities.
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, is embroiled in a legal dispute after the NAACP filed a notice of intent to sue, claiming the company operates gas-burning turbines without the necessary permits, leading to air pollution in Memphis. The turbines are situated near communities that are primarily Black, raising alarms about environmental justice. Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, emphasized the urgent need to address such injustices, stating, "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, xAI reassured the public of its commitment to environmental accountability, asserting that the temporary power generation units are compliant with existing laws. The data center, which operates on the former site of a manufacturing plant, began its operations last year and houses an extensive supercomputer that Musk has touted as potentially the world's largest. To support its energy demands—equivalent to those of approximately 100,000 homes—xAI brought in multiple gas-powered turbines on flatbed trucks.
The Southern Environmental Law Center, aiding the NAACP, highlighted concerns regarding significant heat emissions observed from aerial images showing approximately 35 turbines on-site. As this situation unfolds, local communities and advocates are keeping a close watch, calling attention to the broader implications for environmental standards and corporate responsibility.
In response, xAI reassured the public of its commitment to environmental accountability, asserting that the temporary power generation units are compliant with existing laws. The data center, which operates on the former site of a manufacturing plant, began its operations last year and houses an extensive supercomputer that Musk has touted as potentially the world's largest. To support its energy demands—equivalent to those of approximately 100,000 homes—xAI brought in multiple gas-powered turbines on flatbed trucks.
The Southern Environmental Law Center, aiding the NAACP, highlighted concerns regarding significant heat emissions observed from aerial images showing approximately 35 turbines on-site. As this situation unfolds, local communities and advocates are keeping a close watch, calling attention to the broader implications for environmental standards and corporate responsibility.
