Mississippi Permit Board Grants xAI’s Request for 41 Southaven Gas Turbines to Power Memphis Data Center

The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board has granted xAI's request to install 41 methane gas-fired turbines at its Southaven, Mississippi facility to power the company's data center in Memphis. The decision comes despite opposition from local residents who blame xAI for noise and air pollution issues. The permit requires xAI to use pollution control technologies, but residents remain skeptical of the company's ability to comply with regulations. Legal threats over xAI's unpermitted use of turbines have been made, and residents are considering further legal action to address the facility's environmental impacts on the community.