The NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) have taken formal steps toward suing Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act at its Colossus data center in South Memphis. The massive facility, which powers xAI’s Grok chatbot, has come under fire for operating dozens of methane-burning gas turbines without required federal or state permits—emitting hazardous pollutants near a predominantly Black neighborhood already overburdened by industrial pollution.
Located near the historic Boxtown community, the Colossus facility came online in June 2024 and has since been a flashpoint for community concern and legal scrutiny. SELC, representing the NAACP, issued a 60-day ‘notice of intent to sue’ on June 17, a legal prerequisite under the Clean Air Act. The letter alleges that xAI installed as many as 35 unpermitted gas turbines, far more than the 15 it initially sought authorization for, and failed to implement any best-available pollution control technologies.
“XAI’s decision to install and operate dozens of polluting gas turbines without any permits or public oversight is a clear violation of the Clean Air Act,” said SELC Senior Attorney Patrick Anderson. “Over the last year, these turbines have pumped out pollution that threatens the health of Memphis families.”…