NAACP sues xAI, alleging unlawful operation of gas turbines in Southaven

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and Earthjustice, has filed a lawsuit against tech company xAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech. The civil rights group alleges that xAI violated the Clean Air Act by operating numerous methane gas turbines in Southaven, Mississippi, without a valid air permit. These turbines power the 'Colossus 2' data center located in South Memphis. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, claims that xAI began operating the turbines before the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) granted an air permit in March. Prior to this, the groups had announced their intent to sue in February. According to NAACP officials, the plant's turbines are a significant source of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx), potentially making it the largest industrial emitter in the 11-county Memphis metropolitan area. NAACP is also actively appealing MDEQ's decision to grant the air permit. SELC Senior Attorney Ben Grillot emphasized that xAI's operation without a permit and adequate pollution controls is illegal and disrespects nearby families concerned about health impacts. Earthjustice's director of enforcement, Laura Thoms, echoed these sentiments, stating that no company should have a license to pollute. The lawsuit seeks a court declaration of Clean Air Act violations, an order to halt unpermitted turbine operations, a mandate for xAI to install "best available control technology," and financial penalties for daily violations.