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Environmental Concerns Surrounding xAI Data Center
Elon Musk’s AI company has sparked concern among environmentalists in Memphis, Tennessee due to allegations of operating gas turbines without a permit. A coalition of environmentalist groups, including Memphis Community Against Pollution and Sierra Club Tennessee Chapter, have called for an investigation into the xAI data center, which powers the X chatbot Grok.
The Impact of Supercomputers on the Environment
The xAI data center has reportedly installed 18 gas combustion turbines, capable of emitting approximately 130 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) annually. This has raised concerns about the center’s contribution to Memphis’ air quality issues, especially since it has not obtained the necessary air permits for these turbines. The energy and computing demands of AI models pose a significant environmental challenge, with data centers projected to double their electricity consumption by 2026, equivalent to Japan’s total electricity usage. Additionally, the water and e-waste associated with cooling servers further exacerbate the environmental impact.
The letter sent to the Shelby County Health Department highlights the alleged violations of EPA smog standards by xAI’s data centers and calls for immediate action. The environmental groups are urging the health department to investigate the matter and halt operations at the data center until proper permits are secured.
