The Department of Justice filed a motion supporting xAI in the NAACP's lawsuit over the company's Memphis data center operations. The civil rights organization sued in April, claiming xAI operated methane gas turbines without permits to power its Colossus 2 facility, posing health risks to nearby residents.

Memphis faces significant environmental concerns as the company initially deployed 27 turbines and later expanded to 57 turbines total, according to leaked emails. The area already struggles with asthma rates, ranking second nationally for emergency room visits in 2024. Gas turbines emit particulate matter and hazardous chemicals that could worsen respiratory conditions for local families.

DOJ attorneys argue that halting xAI's operations threatens national security since the company supports military missions. Defense Department officials confirmed they use Grok and other AI models on classified networks for top-secret operations. The filing claims shutting down power supplies would undermine artificial-intelligence innovation vital to defense efforts.

This case highlights growing tensions between tech expansion and environmental protection. While xAI's infrastructure supports national defense priorities, residents bear the health costs of rapid industrialization in their backyard.