Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, is under fire for using methane gas-burning turbines to power its facility in Memphis, Tennessee. Advocacy groups argue that the company is operating 35 turbines, far exceeding the 15 it is authorized to use.
KeShaun Pearson, director of Memphis Community Against Pollution, addressed the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, expressing concern over the company’s actions. “xAI is using 35 turbines, but they’ve only been permitted for 15,” Pearson said. “This is happening without the proper approvals.”
The controversy stems from new aerial photos obtained by the Southern Environmental Law Center, which reveal a significant increase in the number of turbines at the xAI facility. Initially, the company was known to be using 15 portable generators to power its supercomputer. However, the new images suggest that xAI is now operating at least 35 turbines, generating 420 megawatts of electricity, enough to power a small city.
Amanda Garcia, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, expressed concerns about the environmental impact of these turbines. “xAI has essentially built a power plant in South Memphis, with no oversight, no permits, and no concern for the nearby communities,” she stated. “These turbines are contributing to serious air pollution.”
The law center has raised alarms, claiming the turbines violate the Clean Air Act by exceeding limits for toxic and carcinogenic pollutants. These turbines, according to the center, are a major source of air pollution and pose a significant threat to public health in the area.
xAI, Musk’s AI venture, launched its Memphis facility last year. The facility, home to the supercomputer known as “Colossus,” is central to powering xAI’s chatbot Grok. The building itself spans the size of 13 football fields, and Musk has plans to expand it further.
The growing demand for energy to run AI systems like Grok has led xAI to seek additional power sources. AI models require significant electricity, with one query to ChatGPT, for instance, using nearly ten times the energy of a typical Google search. Much of this electricity is generated by fossil fuels, which are major contributors to climate change.
xAI already has contracts to draw 150 megawatts of electricity from Memphis’ local utility, enough to power 100,000 homes. However, Musk has said more energy is needed to manage power fluctuations at the plant. This need for more power led to the installation of the gas turbines, which have sparked controversy.
Last summer, the appearance of the turbines raised concerns, as xAI had not secured the necessary permits from the Shelby County Health Department or the Environmental Protection Agency. It appears that xAI found a loophole, allowing them to use the turbines as long as they are not stationed in one place for more than 364 days. In January, xAI applied for a permit for 15 turbines, but did not mention the additional 20 turbines in the application.
The Southern Environmental Law Center has called on the Shelby County Health Department to issue an emergency order, requiring xAI to cease operations of the turbines. If xAI fails to comply, the group is pushing for a $25,000 daily fine for each violation of the Clean Air Act.
Brent Mayo, a representative from xAI, was scheduled to address the commissioners during the meeting but failed to attend. The commission chair noted that she had sent multiple emails to Mayo but received no response. A representative from the Chamber of Commerce, which assisted in establishing the facility, claimed that xAI never received the emails.
Community members, including Pearson, who lives near the xAI facility, voiced their concerns. Pearson, who lost both of his grandmothers to cancer, believes their deaths were linked to the industrial pollution in the area. “No one else should have to bury their loved ones because of the actions of these wealthy, powerful people,” Pearson said. “This pollution is preventable.”
The ongoing debate highlights the tensions between technological advancements and environmental responsibility, especially in communities already burdened by industrial pollution.
