NAACP Sues Elon Musk’s xAI Over Pollution From Data Centers Impacting Residents In North Mississippi And Memphis, TN

The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s xAI.

The lawsuit, which also lists its subsidiary, MZX Tech, as a defendant, was filed on Tuesday, April 14, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, and concerns power data centers in and near Memphis, TN, according to CNBC.

The lawsuit claims that 27 gas turbines are now operating in Southaven, MS, 13 miles south of Memphis, E&E News by POLITICO reports. They were installed between August and December 2025 and are allegedly causing harm to those in North Mississippi and Memphis through air pollution, per CNBC. According to a press release shared with AFROTECH, the turbines supply energy to xAI’s Colossus 2 data center, which runs its chatbot Grok.

The lawsuit alleges the operation of the gas turbines is illegal because no air permit was issued, according to CNBC. It also claims violations of the Clean Air Act, which regulates emissions of hazardous air pollutants in the interest of public health and welfare, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

“xAI has been pumping illegal pollution into this community in its rush to power the ‘Colossus 2’ data center. No company – and no industry – has a free license to pollute our air,” said Laura Thoms, director of enforcement for Earthjustice, in the press release. “xAI isn’t above the law, and we’re filing this lawsuit to hold them accountable.”

The press release noted that gas turbines release “smog-forming pollution, fine particulate matter, and hazardous chemicals.” Such pollutants can be linked to higher instances of asthma, respiratory diseases, heart problems, and certain cancers.

Abre’ Conner, NAACP director of environmental and climate justice, commented, per the release: “A data center should not be a potential death sentence for a community’s health. By looking to evade clear air laws to operate dirty turbines that emit pollution and known carcinogens, these companies are following a shameful, familiar pattern: asking Black and frontline communities to bear the toxic brunt of ‘innovation.’”

Conner continued, “As we shared since xAI started operating in Memphis, our homes, churches, and playgrounds will not be sacrifice zones for Big Tech’s convenience. The NAACP stands firm that true progress cannot be built by ignoring community health and our environment. Our right to clean air is not up for negotiation, especially when companies prove expediency not people is their priority.”

The post NAACP Sues Elon Musk’s xAI Over Pollution From Data Centers Impacting Residents In North Mississippi And Memphis, TN appeared first on AfroTech.

The post NAACP Sues Elon Musk’s xAI Over Pollution From Data Centers Impacting Residents In North Mississippi And Memphis, TN appeared first on AfroTech.