FOX13 Investigates: Data center power usage in Shelby County
A social media post by State Rep. Justin J. Pearson raised questions about the electricity usage of XAI data centers in Shelby County, Memphis. FOX13 Investigates reported on XAI's significant utility bills, with electricity costs reaching over $633,000 in July. The article also connects the power consumption to broader environmental concerns and the local grid.
State Representative Justin J. Pearson sparked a social media debate over the weekend, highlighting the substantial electricity consumption of Elon Musk's four XAI data centers in Shelby County, Tennessee. Pearson claimed these data centers, which he called "the largest in the country," draw power from the same grid serving Memphis families. He also linked their operations to broader environmental concerns, accusing them of contributing to pollution alongside companies like Valero and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
FOX13 Investigates previously looked into XAI's water and electricity usage, obtaining MLGW bills through the organization Protect Our Aquifer. Records show that in March 2026, XAI was charged over $182,000 for electricity, averaging about $11,000 per day. During the hotter month of July, when the average temperature was 83 degrees, utility costs for XAI reportedly soared to nearly $22,000 per day, with electricity alone totaling $633,000 for the month.