Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, has sparked environmental concerns in Memphis, Tennessee, with its plans to continue using 15 gas turbines to power its “Colossus” supercomputer. A permit from the Shelby County Health Department reportedly allows non-stop turbine operation from June 2025 to June 2030. However, the 20-year-old turbines emit hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), including formaldehyde, exceeding the EPA’s annual cap. The Commercial Appeal, a local news outlet, obtained the documents and reported that the facility self-reports each turbine emitting 11.51 tons of HAPs annually.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the turbines’ emissions. Eric Hilt, a spokesperson for the Southern Environmental Law Center, stated that the turbines have been operating since 2024 without public notice or oversight, and the permits do not account for those emissions. “This is another example of the company not being transparent with the community,” Hilt said.
The health department clarified that the permits are not yet approved, and there is no specific timeline for their approval.
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