State Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) continued his advocacy this week against xAI.
The Elon Musk-owned company is building the world’s largest supercomputer in Memphis. To build this facility, xAI did not seek any tax incentives.
In 2024, the Tennessee Valley Authority approved the xAI’s power use in Memphis. The company is now pursuing a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
German-owned Politco reported that xAI is under pressure from “Memphis community groups over its use of 35 methane turbines to power its facility.”
Currently, xAI does not have Clean Air Act permits, which “regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources,” the EPA says.
XAI submitted pre-application documents to bring between 40 and 90 more gas turbines to another Memphis location, Politico reported. The outlet also said that the company submitted its proposal to the EPA in March about this topic.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin met with xAI in May, Politico said.
Pearson (pictured above) told the German-owned outlet that he was “disappointed” that the EPA has not denied xAI’s permit.
“It concerns me when EPA says one of its goals is the expansion of data centers and it’s not saying its responsibility is to make sure everyone has the ability to breathe clean air,” he told the outlet. “I remain hopeful that the EPA will do its part to stop the illegal pollution of our lungs, and I’m also cautious that this admin has not done things that are helpful for people in the communities I represent.”
After this article was published, Pearson took to Facebook and said, “We need to stop xAI’s 35 gas turbines from polluting our air AND we must stop their plans to have 45 or more gas turbines in our community!”
“Let’s keep fighting for our lives and the right to breathe clean air! Clean air is a human right and we deserve it! Join the fight with us!” the state representative stated.
In April, Pearson spoke out against xAI at a Memphis town hall event. He said the company is “destroying the community,” and later on social media, said Musk’s company was “polluting our air with toxic chemicals from gas turbines.”
Last month, The Greater Memphis Chamber said xAI “reached full operational capability for Phase I of the two Phase operation at the former Electrolux site.”
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
Background Photo “xAI Facility” by xAI.
I think he is mad because he knows no one from Memphis would qualify to work there.
Is Memphis expected to pull itself out of poverty only by manufacturing daishikis and bean pies, my brother?