SpaceXAI has announced it will fully remove the unpermitted gas turbines powering its data center operations near Memphis, Tennessee by July 2027. These turbines are currently the subject of a lawsuit by the NAACP, which alleges the company is exposing nearby communities to hazardous chemicals and pollution, violating the Clean Air Act.

SpaceXAI states that a new 1.2GW power plant, being constructed under a Clean Air Act permit in Mississippi, will replace the 69 temporary turbines. As part of an agreement with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, removal of the temporary turbines will commence in August 2026, with full completion by July 2027.

The NAACP sued SpaceXAI in April, citing health concerns associated with pollution exposure. While SpaceXAI maintains that local air quality meets EPA standards, the Justice Department filed to dismiss the lawsuit in June, though the case is proceeding. This agreement to remove the turbines is seen as an improvement for residents, but is unlikely to impede SpaceXAI's AI infrastructure expansion, as the company has secured new agreements with Anthropic and Google.