Musk’s xAI wins permit for datacenter’s makeshift power plant despite backlash

Elon Musk’s xAI received approval to increase the number of methane gas turbines at its “Colossus 2” datacenter in northern Mississippi to 41, nearly doubling its current count.
The additional turbines will help power xAI’s datacenters which house advanced artificial intelligence supercomputers that support the company’s AI tool, Grok.
The expansion of the datacenter has faced significant opposition from community members and environmental advocates due to the environmental impact, particularly regarding hazardous air pollution and public health concerns.
Environmental and community activists claim the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) dismissed concerns, prioritizing the expansion for convenience over justice.
The gas generators used in xAI’s datacenters emit fine particulate matter containing hazardous chemicals linked to respiratory illnesses, heart attacks, and certain cancers.
xAI’s datacenters in the Mississippi region are located in areas already struggling with pollution, and the new expansion is set to exacerbate the existing pollution problems.
The Southern Environmental Law Center argues that xAI’s decision to increase the number of turbines will contribute significantly to air pollution, turning Colossus 2 into one of the biggest polluters in the area.

Musk’s xAI wins permit for datacenter’s makeshift power plant despite backlash | Technology