DOJ claims xAI’s unpermitted gas turbines are a matter of ‘national, economic, and energy security’

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken xAI's side in a lawsuit aiming to halt the company's use of numerous unpermitted natural gas turbines near its Memphis data centers. The DOJ contends that if the NAACP, which filed the lawsuit, prevails, it would jeopardize "American national, economic, and energy security" by inhibiting AI innovation vital for military operations. Grok, an xAI AI model, is cited as crucial for "mission-critical operations."

The NAACP initiated its legal efforts last June to stop xAI's use of "mobile" gas turbines at its Colossus data centers. Despite these efforts, xAI has increased its turbines to 57. The company claims these trailer-mounted turbines are exempt from Mississippi air pollution regulations for a year. However, the Southern Environmental Law Center, representing the NAACP, argues that federal law considers such turbines stationary and thus subject to regulation.

Local air quality has reportedly deteriorated since xAI's data centers became operational in an already polluted region. The number of turbines has more than doubled, significantly increasing pollutants like PM2.5, formaldehyde, and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), all linked to various severe health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

xAI, now a division of SpaceX, plans further expansion. SpaceX's IPO filing indicates plans to purchase an additional $2.8 billion worth of gas turbines over the next three years to power its AI data centers, with at least $2 billion allocated for "mobile gas turbines."