Mississippi state officials approve permit for 41 gas turbines at xAI's Southaven data center
News Cliplocalmemphis.com·Southaven, DeSoto County, MS·3/10/2026
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has approved the construction of 41 gas turbines at xAI's data center in Southaven, Mississippi, despite pushback from local activists and organizations like the NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center. The decision was made after a public hearing on Election Day that was criticized for attempting to 'silence frontline communities'.
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Gov: Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, NAACP, Southern Environmental Law Center
Mississippi state officials have approved the construction of 41 gas turbines at xAI's data center in Southaven, Mississippi, despite pushback from local activists and organizations like the NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) voted to approve the permit, stating that it met legal and technical requirements. However, the NAACP and SELC have criticized the decision, accusing MDEQ of silencing frontline communities and prioritizing the convenience of xAI over public health and environmental justice concerns.