Mississippi AG Seeks to Support xAI in Southaven Turbines Lawsuit
The NAACP filed a lawsuit against xAI over its operation of mobile gas turbines in Southaven, Mississippi, alleging violations of the federal Clean Air Act due to a lack of proper permits. The Department of Justice sided with xAI, citing national security interests, and Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch is seeking to intervene in support of xAI, emphasizing state authority over air pollution control and the project's economic benefits.
The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against xAI, alleging the company is operating mobile gas turbines in Southaven, Mississippi, without required air permits under the federal Clean Air Act. The lawsuit seeks to halt the turbine operations until proper permitting is secured.
In response, the U.S. Department of Justice has sided with xAI, asserting that the company's artificial intelligence model, Grok, is crucial for national security, particularly in the context of the Iran war. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves also issued a statement supporting the dismissal of the lawsuit.
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch has requested court permission to file a brief in support of xAI. Fitch argues that the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) had previously determined that permits were not required for xAI's operations and that state agencies hold primary responsibility for air pollution control. She also warned that granting the NAACP's request could jeopardize significant economic benefits, thousands of jobs, billions in investment and tax revenue for Mississippi, and deter future development.