Elon Musk’s xAI facility is polluting South Memphis
A facility run by Elon Musk’s xAI is spewing dangerous air pollution in South Memphis, worsening air quality and endangering families living in the predominantly Black neighborhoods nearby. Now, community members are calling for accountability and urging local leaders to take action.
What is xAI?
The xAI facility powers X’s – formerly known as Twitter – AI chatbot, ‘Grok.’ Like all data centers, xAI requires huge amounts of energy. Initially, the company planned to use up to 150 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 100,000 homes. Recently, Musk has said he plans to double the facility’s computing power, and its energy use, by the end of 2024.
To meet the incredible energy demands, xAI is running methane gas turbines. The company has at least 18 of the turbines, with community members reporting that they have seen additional units at the site. These turbines pump out hazardous chemicals like formaldehyde and worsen ground level ozone, better known as smog. Even though the Tennessee Valley Authority recently approved xAI’s request for power, the company has not committed to turning off its gas turbines.
Everyone in the South deserves clean air and water.
How is xAI hurting Memphis air?
South Memphis’ predominantly Black communities are unfortunately no stranger to dirty air. The neighborhoods have long been targeted by industrial polluters, including a steel mill, a now-shuttered coal power plant, a utility-operated gas power plant, and an oil refinery. The result is a long legacy of environmental injustice, high asthma rates, and a failing grade for air quality from the American Lung Association.
Even worse, xAI is operating these harmful gas turbines without any permits. SELC and a coalition of community groups have warned the Shelby County Health Department that the company’s refusal to apply for a permit violates federal law.
Every day those turbines are operating, they are polluting the air and doing significant harm to families in South Memphis.
Amanda Garcia, Senior Attorney
This isn’t the first time a Musk-founded company has skirted environmental rules. Musk’s SpaceX and Boring Company have been fined thousands of dollars for violating environmental regulations in Texas.
“Local leaders shouldn’t be rubberstamping requests from somebody with a history of treating nearby communities like dumping grounds. They need to be analyzing this facility with a critical eye and ensuring it’s following the rules—so far that hasn’t happened,” Garcia said.
It has been reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently investigating whether xAI’s unpermitted turbines violate the Clean Air Act.
Why are communities being left in the dark?
As xAI continues churning out dangerous pollution, Memphians have been left in the dark. Plans for the facility moved at breakneck speed and without any public input. Even Memphis City councilmembers were surprised when the facility was officially announced in June. It began operations just weeks later.
Community members are left wondering who is calling the shots here.
Amanda Garcia, Senior Attorney
Concerns about transparency grew as the facility came online. Reports showed that Memphis officials signed non-disclosure agreements with xAI, and local health and utility officials were seemingly caught off guard by xAI’s plans to double in size.
“Community members are left wondering who is calling the shots here, and if local leaders, who are supposed to be looking out for the best interest of the public, even know what is going on at the xAI facility,” Garcia said.
Meanwhile, representatives from xAI have ignored calls from community members and city leaders to attend public meetings to answer basic questions about the company’s operations and harmful impacts. xAI representatives have met with business leaders and economic groups instead.
What can be done about xAI?
If xAI wants to operate in Memphis, it needs to follow the rules. The company must apply for a permit for its turbines. A permit would allow local officials to monitor the turbines’ emissions and require the company to install and use of pollution controls that can protect nearby communities.
City and county officials could also push for the facility to power its operations with cleaner technology. Renewable energy sources, like solar power and battery storage, could help the facility meet its electricity demands without polluting the air in South Memphis.
The company also needs to be better neighbors by coming to the table and meeting with impacted community members. Memphians deserve to know the impact the xAI facility has on their air and their health.