The NAACP, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center and Earthjustice, initiated a federal lawsuit against xAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech. The complaint alleges the companies violated the Clean Air Act by running 27 unpermitted methane gas turbines to power the Colossus 2 data center in South Memphis.

These turbines reportedly expel pollution and fine particulate matter linked to serious health issues, a risk amplified by the facility’s proximity to residential areas. The legal action seeks a court declaration of the violation, an injunction stopping the turbine use, and the imposition of financial penalties against the Elon Musk-founded startup.

This action follows a mandatory 60-day notice of intent to sue, which xAI apparently ignored. While other tech giants like Google and Meta explore nuclear options for massive power demands, xAI appears to have opted for on-site gas generation without securing necessary permits first, drawing immediate legal fire.

Legal representatives argue xAI’s operation is both illegal and an insult to nearby families concerned about their health. This situation places environmental oversight directly against the rapid, power-hungry infrastructure buildout required to train large AI models like Grok.