NAACP To Sue Elon Musk’s AI Company Over Pollution In Black Neighborhood
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), representing the NAACP, has sent a 60-day Notice of Intent to Sue to Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, over its unpermitted use of gas turbines at a data center in South Memphis.
The letter, dated June 17, alleges that xAI violated federal law by installing dozens of methane gas turbines without the required permits or pollution controls. This notice is a necessary step before filing a lawsuit under the Clean Air Act.
“Over the last year, these turbines have pumped out pollution that threatens the health of Memphis families,” SELC Senior Attorney Patrick Anderson said in a press release. “This notice paves the way for a lawsuit that can hold xAI accountable for its unlawful refusal to get permits for its gas turbines.”
Pollution in a Historically Black Neighborhood
The Colossus supercomputer facility, which began operating in June 2024, is located near Boxtown, a historically Black neighborhood in South Memphis.
Despite seeking a permit for 15 turbines, the NAACP claims xAI has operated at least 35 turbines without authorization over the past year. While city officials argued permits weren’t needed for the first year, the turbines have reportedly emitted hazardous pollutants, including formaldehyde, exceeding Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits.
Community Backlash and Demand for Shutdown
In May, NAACP the joined calls for the immediate shutdown of Colossus, citing violations of environmental regulations. In a letter addressed to Dr. Michelle Taylor, director of the Shelby County Health Department, leaders from the NAACP criticized xAI’s “lackadaisical approach” to the operation of the “dirty data center.”
In a statement to NBC News, NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said, “Being the world’s richest man doesn’t give you the right to pollute Black communities and jeopardize the health of its residents.”
Image: Southern Environmental Law Center
