NAACP Urges Memphis Officials to Halt Operations at xAI’s Colossus Data Center Over Pollution Concerns

The NAACP is calling for an immediate halt to operations at Colossus, the “supercomputer” facility operated by Elon Musk’s xAI in South Memphis, citing concerns over air pollution and its impact on the local community.

In a letter sent Thursday to the Shelby County Health Department and Memphis Light Gas and Water, leaders from the civil rights group criticized the organizations’ “lackadaisical approach to the operation of this dirty data center.” The NAACP is urging authorities to “issue an emergency order for xAI to stop operations completely” or, at a minimum, to cite and stop the company from allegedly violating clean air laws. The letter is available on Document Cloud.

The core of the NAACP’s concerns revolves around the gas turbines used by xAI to power Colossus. While the company has applied for a permit to continue operating 15 gas turbines at the facility, the NAACP alleges that authorities have “allowed xAI to operate at least 35 gas turbines without any permitting” over the past year. It has been stated that city officials previously indicated that xAI did not require permits for the turbines’ first year of operation.

These turbines reportedly emit hazardous air pollutants, including formaldehyde, at levels exceeding EPA limits, according to reports. The NAACP’s letter also highlighted the turbines’ nitrogen-oxide emissions as a cause for concern.

The NAACP emphasized that the Colossus facility is situated near South Memphis’ Boxtown neighborhood, which they described as a “historically Black community.” They argue that the location perpetuates “the trend of industries adding pollution to communities who do not cause the problem.”

“Instead of [the Shelby County Health Department] working to reduce health issues known in the area including that cancer risks are already four times the national average, it has allowed xAI to operate above the law,” the NAACP stated in their letter, which was addressed to Shelby County Health Department Director Michelle Taylor and Memphis Light Gas and Water’s commissioners. Taylor is reportedly leaving her role in Shelby County to become the commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department.

Memphis Light Gas and Water told NBC News that it had not yet received the NAACP letter.