Justice Department seeks to dismiss air pollution lawsuit against xAI data center in Mississippi
The Justice Department has moved to intervene in and dismiss a civil rights lawsuit filed by the NAACP against Elon Musk's xAI, which alleges the company is illegally operating natural gas turbines to power its $20 billion AI data center in Mississippi, causing air pollution. The lawsuit claims xAI failed to obtain proper permits under the Clean Air Act for the power plant located near residential areas. The Justice Department argues the plant is critical for the economy and U.S. military, while the NAACP asserts the action is an attempt to shield wealthy tech companies from environmental accountability.
The Justice Department has sought to intervene in and dismiss a civil rights lawsuit brought by the NAACP and other groups against Elon Musk's xAI, a subsidiary of SpaceX. The lawsuit alleges that xAI is illegally operating dozens of natural gas turbines without proper permits, powering a $20 billion AI data center in Mississippi, and creating health risks for residents in North Mississippi and Memphis by violating the federal Clean Air Act.
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward stated that the Justice Department's intervention aims to protect national security and promote American energy and innovation, arguing that the plant is critical to the economy and U.S. military. He emphasized that the state of Mississippi, not the federal government, is responsible for power plant permits and deemed none were required. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves also defended xAI, noting the project as the state's largest private investment and stating that xAI's self-generating power facility prevents rate increases for residents.
Conversely, Laura Thoms, director of enforcement for Earthjustice, which represents the NAACP, criticized the Justice Department's move as a "desperate attempt to protect wealthy tech companies from obeying the laws meant to protect people from pollution." Abre' Conner of the NAACP reiterated that the Clean Air Act holds polluters accountable and opposed what she called "federal bullying." The lawsuit, filed in April, seeks to stop the operation of the unpermitted turbines, which opponents claim lack emission controls.