Elon Musk’s xAI faces criticism over pollution in Memphis
Concerns have been raised about Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI and its energy practices in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), an advocacy group, revealed via aerial photos that xAI uses 35 methane gas burning generators to power its Colossus supercomputer. This number doubles the originally reported 15 generators, for which xAI had only applied for permits.
The SELC claims that this operation is a power plant without proper oversight or permits and poses significant air pollution risks. The group claims that these generators violate the Clean Air Act because of their high emissions of pollutants, including nitrogen oxides.
These emissions directly affect the health of local residents in historically black neighborhoods, who already have higher rates of cancer and asthma than in other parts of the city.
XAI’s energy needs stem from the enormous computing power required for its chatbot Grok. Although the company has a contract for 150MW of electricity from Memphis’ local utility, it has resorted to gas generators to deal with power fluctuations. The SELC urges the Shelby County Health Department to issue an emergency order to stop the use of these generators and impose daily fines on xAI for violating the Clean Air Act.
The organisation emphasises the urgent need to protect the health and well-being of Memphis residents from the harmful effects of xAI’s unregulated power generation.
Business AM
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers