Elon Musk Challenges Protests.. xAI Gets Approval to Operate Gas Turbines in Tennessee

Shelby County Health Department granted a permit to xAI, owned by entrepreneur Elon Musk, to operate its giant computer facility using natural gas turbines, according to public records issued on Wednesday.

The permit, issued on June 2, comes after months of protests and public hearings where residents expressed concerns about the impact of the turbines on air quality. The approval imposes strict conditions on the company, including emission limits, regular testing, and deadlines to ensure the safe operation of 15 turbines, with the company facing fines of up to $10,000 per day for each violation.

Residents near the facility, known as "Colossus," have reported suffering from poor air quality since the turbines started operating, leading to difficulties in opening windows or engaging in outdoor activities due to foul odors, according to CNBC.

The turbines emit nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde, pollutants linked to increased risks of respiratory diseases, according to specifications from Solaris Energy Infrastructure, the turbine supplier, positioning itself as a provider of fast energy solutions for large facilities.

xAI is facing a lawsuit from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), accusing it of violating the Clean Air Act. The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing NAACP, revealed satellite images showing 24 turbines on-site, while the permit allows only 15, indicating that the actual number had previously reached 35 turbines.

xAI welcomed the county's decision, stating in a release that its facility will utilize the latest emission control technologies, making it "the least polluting of its kind in the country."

This approval comes as the company, which also owns the "X" platform, seeks to expand its operations, having recently raised $10 billion in funding led by Morgan Stanley, and plans to build a larger data center near "Colossus," relying on Solaris Energy turbines.

The permit was issued one day after Bruce Randolph was appointed interim director of local health, raising questions about the timing of the decision and its connection to the announced environmental concerns.