A recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision may impact artificial intelligence company xAI’s power options for its Memphis and Southaven data center campuses.
On Jan. 9, the EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin signed a notice with updated regulations, including new performance standards for combustion and gas turbines. The new regulations for the Clean Air Act would require air and construction permits for all such turbines, even temporary ones operating for under a year. (The ruling was formally posted on the Federal Register on Jan. 15.)
The EPA ruling effectively overrules an exemption the Shelby County Health Department remained firm on regarding the use of gas turbines at xAI’s Shelby County facilities. That exemption allows for unpermitted use up to 364 days…