xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence development company, has installed 59 gas turbines to power the Colossus 2 data center in the United States, doing so without the necessary federal licenses, according to a report by Reuters. This incident has raised questions about the environmental impact associated with the race for AI infrastructure.
According to Reuters analysis, xAI has mounted 59 natural gas-powered turbines to feed Colossus 2. This number more than doubles the 27 units the company previously reported operating without permits. The material is based on an examination of public documents, government data, and correspondence between company representatives and environmental agencies. Most of these turbines are located in Southern Haven, while the AI center itself is in Memphis.
The approach taken by xAI reflects a broader trend in the technology sector: IT companies are striving to secure their own energy production to meet the growing demand of large data centers used for training and running AI systems. Analyst Ben King from the Rhodium Group noted that 'this resembles an unprecedented level of gas installed off the meter in one location.'
The installation has also become the subject of legal dispute. Organizations NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center have filed a lawsuit against xAI, claiming the turbines must comply with the Clean Air Act—the primary U.S. environmental legislation concerning air quality. Among the stated claims are potential emissions exceeding permissible limits and requiring federal approval; the impact on historically Black neighborhoods near the project; the lack of broader environmental assessments before operation began; and discussions about the consequences of AI expansion for local residents.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality stated that temporary or mobile turbines do not require a license, while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intention to consider possible regulatory changes for such equipment.
Reuters calculations indicate that only 30 of the 59 turbines could annually emit about 2.5 thousand short tons of nitrogen oxides, 4 thousand tons of carbon monoxide, and 22 tons of formaldehyde. Residents claim this impact has already become part of daily life. In Colonial Hills, Mississippi, residents note constant noise from the turbines, comparable to airplane noise. Shannon Sams, a resident of Southern Haven, stated: 'This is a huge number of turbines and an unimaginable amount of air pollution.'
The analysis also showed that more Black residents live in areas adjacent to the facility, and respiratory illness rates are higher than the average for those areas. The xAI case demonstrates a growing challenge for the technology sector: how to scale up the necessary energy capacity for artificial intelligence without ignoring the environmental and social consequences of this expansion.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance Hited stated that China is surpassing America in the field of artificial intelligence, despite the need for active expansion of energy infrastructure for data centers.
He expressed concern that the country is lagging in creating new energy sources due to environmental restrictions. This was reported by the APA agency.
According to Hited, Beijing is actively building new energy facilities and achieving leadership in the AI technology market. He believes that the demands of the American environmental movement do not align with current practices.
Furthermore, Vance warned that local technology companies could face a serious crisis if they do not recognize the importance of developing the energy system. He emphasized that the first casualties of the contradiction between building new infrastructure and environmental requirements are data centers in the United States.
