The startup of Elon Musk’s AI, XAI, plans to continue using 15 gas turbines to supply its “colossus” supercalculator in Memphis, Tennessee, according to an operating permit with the Health Department of Shelby for a Turbine non-stop use from June 2025 to June 2030.
Why is it important? The commercial appeal, a media which obtained the documents, observes that environmental concerns emerged, while 20 -year -old turbines emit dangerous air pollutants (HAP), including formaldehyde, at levels exceeding the annual ceiling of 10 tonnes of EPA for a single source. (According to history, the operating permit for the self-evaluration installation that turbines each issue 11.51 tonnes of HAP per year.)
Turbines have already been operating since the summer of 2024 without public opinion or surveillance, explains Eric Hilt, spokesperson for the Southern Environmental Law Center, the major non-profit environmental organization, and the permits do not take these emissions into account.
“This is another example of the company that is not transparent with the community or with local leaders,” Hilt told the commercial call.
The Department of Health indicates to the point of sale that permits have not yet been approved, and there is “no calendar defined for approval”.
