NAACP Files Lawsuit Against xAI Over Illegal Polluting Turbines in Memphis

The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, over the operation of 27 unpermitted gas turbines powering its "Colossus" data center in Memphis, Tennessee.

The lawsuit, filed in Mississippi, alleges that xAI’s turbines violate the Clean Air Act of 1970, exposing residents of a predominantly Black, working-class neighborhood to harmful emissions and excessive noise pollution.

According to reports, the turbines—each roughly the size of a bus—have been operating without proper permits for months, powering the data center that runs xAI’s chatbot, Grok.

The lawsuit seeks to compel xAI to cease operations of the unpermitted turbines and impose civil penalties to cover legal fees. Environmental experts warn that the turbines emit nitrogen dioxide, a gas linked to irreversible respiratory damage over time.

In addition to air pollution, residents have reported unbearable noise levels disrupting daily life.

NAACP Condemns Environmental Injustice

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, criticized xAI’s actions in a statement to The Guardian:

"All too often, big corporations like xAI treat our communities and families like obstacles to be pushed aside. 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 because the people don’t have the power to fight back."

xAI Responds with Compliance Claims

In response to the lawsuit, an xAI spokesperson told The Guardian that the company takes its commitment to the community and environment seriously:

"The temporary power generation units are operating in compliance with all applicable laws."

However, the lawsuit disputes this claim, arguing that the turbines are operating illegally without proper permits.

Background on the Colossus Data Center

The Colossus data center, located in Memphis, is a critical infrastructure component for xAI, enabling the operation of its advanced AI models, including Grok. The facility’s reliance on unpermitted gas turbines has drawn significant scrutiny from environmental and civil rights advocates.