NAACP Urges Memphis Officials to Shut Down xAI’s Controversial ‘Dirty Data Center

The NAACP is calling for local authorities to suspend operations at Colossus, the supercomputer facility operated by Elon Musk’s xAI located in South Memphis.
In a letter sent to the Shelby County Health Department and Memphis Light Gas and Water, the civil rights organization criticized the “lackadaisical approach” to the management of the facility, urging them to issue an emergency order to halt operations or, at the very least, cite xAI for alleged violations of clean air laws.
The NAACP expressed concerns about the gas turbines powering Colossus, highlighting that xAI has applied for a permit for 15 turbines, yet has reportedly operated at least 35 without permits over the past year. City officials previously indicated that permits were not required for the turbines’ first year of operation.
Concerns over environmental impact are significant, as these turbines are said to emit hazardous air pollutants, including formaldehyde, at levels exceeding EPA limits. The letter also noted the elevated nitrogen-oxide emissions from the facility.
Pointing out that Colossus is situated near the Boxtown neighborhood in South Memphis—a historically Black community—the NAACP emphasized that the location contributes to the disproportionate pollution burden on marginalized communities. The organization criticized the Shelby County Health Department for allowing operations that exacerbate health risks in an area already facing a cancer risk four times the national average.
The letter was addressed to Shelby County Health Department Director Michelle Taylor, who is set to leave for a position as the commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, as well as Memphis Light Gas and Water’s commissioners.