An Elon Musk-run facility is releasing dangerous air pollution in South Memphis, putting the lives of families in predominately Black neighborhoods at risk, per the Southern Environment Law Center.
According to Black Enterprise, residents have started a petition to remove Musk’s xAI facility from Memphis, alleging environmental racism.
“This facility is going to have a detrimental impact on not South Memphians, but Memphians as a whole,” Memphis resident Hailey Thomas, who launched the “Push the Supercomputer Out of Memphis” petition last month, wrote.
“South Memphis has a history of experiencing environmental racism,” she continued. “The neighborhood has been targeted by environmental polluters. South Memphis’s cancer rate is 4 times higher than the national average. We also see effects such as an elevated asthma rate, failing air quality, and a life expectancy that is 10 years lower in contrast to the rest of the city.”
The xAI facility powers X’s AI chatbot, known as “Grok.” The data center, or “supercomputer,” requires large amounts of energy. The company initially planned to use up to 150 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power more than 100,000 homes, but Musk said he plans to double the facility’s computing power and energy use.
To meet energy demands, xAi uses methane gas turbines, which release hazardous chemicals like formaldehyde and worsen ground-level ozone. xAi is reportedly operating the harmful gas turbines without permits. Community members and activist groups have urged the Shelby County Health Department to take action as the company’s refusal to apply for a permit violates federal law.
“Every day those turbines are operating, they are polluting the air and doing significant harm to families in South Memphis,” attorney Amanda Garcia said in a statement.
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Community members have also expressed concerns of transparency as plans for the facility have moved quickly and without public input. Reports have surfaced that some Memphis officials signed non-disclosure agreements with xAI, unknowingly to local council members.
“Community members are left wondering who is calling the shots here, and if local leaders, who are supposed to be looking out for the best interest of the public, even know what is going on at the xAI facility,” Garcia said.
Residents are urging city and county officials to push for the facility to power its operations with cleaner technology. They are also asking the company to meet with impacted community members about the issue.
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