NAACP Urges Memphis Officials to Shut Down xAI’s Polluting Data Center Near Historically Black Neighborhood

The NAACP has called on local officials in Memphis to halt operations at Colossus, the supercomputer facility run by Elon Musk’s xAI, citing environmental and health concerns. Leaders from the civil rights organization sent a letter on Thursday to the Shelby County Health Department and Memphis Light Gas and Water, criticizing the agencies' lenient approach to the facility's permitting and operation processes. The letter requests an emergency order for xAI to cease operations immediately or, at a minimum, face citation and a halt for alleged violations of clean air laws. Specific concerns revolve around the gas turbines used to power the facility. While xAI has applied for a permit to operate 15 gas turbines, the NAACP claims that the company has been running at least 35 without proper authorization over the past year. City officials previously stated that xAI did not require permits during the facility's first year of operation. These gas turbines, according to the NAACP, emit hazardous air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, at levels exceeding EPA limits. The letter also highlights significant nitrogen-oxide emissions from the turbines. The Colossus facility is situated near South Memphis’ Boxtown neighborhood, a historically Black community. The NAACP argues that this location exacerbates existing environmental injustices, as the community already faces disproportionate health challenges, including cancer risks that are four times higher than the national average. "Instead of working to reduce health issues known in the area, the Shelby County Health Department has allowed xAI to operate above the law," the NAACP stated in its letter. The letter is directed to Shelby County Health Department Director Michelle Taylor, who is scheduled to leave her position to become the commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, and to the commissioners of Memphis Light Gas and Water. TechCrunch has contacted both the NAACP and xAI for comment. Memphis Light Gas and Water, meanwhile, informed NBC News that they had not yet received the NAACP's letter. This situation underscores the growing tension between technological advancement and environmental responsibility, particularly in communities that have historically borne the brunt of industrial pollution. As xAI continues to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence, the NAACP’s intervention highlights the critical importance of regulatory oversight and community health in the deployment of cutting-edge technologies.