US Democrat calls on musk over xAI data center pollution concerns
US Representative Frank Pallone is demanding documents and answers from Elon Musk regarding the environmental and public health impacts of xAI's Colossus data center operations in Tennessee and Mississippi. This inquiry stems from concerns about alleged pollution and emissions from natural gas turbines, particularly after reports indicated xAI installed 59 turbines for its Colossus 2 project without securing federal clean-air permits. The investigation also seeks information on power consumption and water usage at these facilities.
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, the leading Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has launched an inquiry into Elon Musk's xAI over the environmental and public health impacts of its Colossus data center operations in Tennessee and Mississippi. Pallone's demands include documentation and answers regarding the natural gas turbines used at xAI's Colossus 1 and Colossus 2 artificial intelligence data centers, emissions data, permitting records, and communications with government officials. He also requested analyses of the facilities' emissions, power consumption, and water usage, and proposed a committee staff visit to the sites.
The New Jersey Democrat accused Musk's SpaceX, which owns xAI, of not being forthcoming with information during a prior meeting with committee staff, asserting the company showed "disregard for the health and well-being of local communities." This scrutiny follows a Reuters report from earlier this month, which indicated that xAI had installed 59 natural gas turbines for its Colossus 2 project without obtaining federal clean-air permits.
These turbines are reportedly located near predominantly Black communities and are alleged to be releasing significant levels of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants. The inquiry by the House committee was prompted by broader concerns about the energy demands and environmental footprints of AI data centers, with xAI reportedly being the least cooperative among major AI companies briefed by the committee.