NAACP sues Musk's xAI over unauthorized gas turbines near Memphis data center

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI has installed 59 natural gas turbines without permits to power its Colossus 2 data center, which runs the Grok chatbot near Memphis, Tennessee. A Reuters analysis found the turbines are disproportionately concentrated near Black communities in Southaven, Mississippi, just across the state line, according to KFGO and Gizmodo. The NAACP has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the operation of the unpermitted units, citing environmental justice concerns in an area that is one of the largest majority-Black cities in the United States.

KFGOPollution from Musk’s unpermitted xAI power project hits hardest in Black communities

"The turbines are disproportionately located near Black communities in Southaven, Mississippi, just across the state line."

The analysis, reported by Reuters and covered by both outlets, used air quality modeling to estimate the pollution burden. The NAACP lawsuit argues that the placement of the gas turbines violates federal civil rights and environmental laws, as the facilities were activated without required environmental review or permits.

"Pollution from Musk’s unpermitted xAI power project hits hardest in Black communities."

xAI has not publicly commented on the lawsuit or the regulatory status of the turbines. The legal challenge adds to growing scrutiny over the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure, which requires enormous amounts of electricity for data center operations and cooling systems.