US EditionState Approves xAI for More Gas Turbines
Mississippi regulators approved 41 turbines for xAI's power plant amid protests citing pollution and procedural concerns, with over 200 public comments submitted, officials said.
- On March 10, 2026, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Permit Board approved an operations permit for 41 turbines allowing xAI to power nearby data centers in Southaven.
- After criticism that timing disadvantaged locals, community groups argued MDEQ publicized the hearing on March 5 with five days' notice and held it on Election Day in Jackson, limiting DeSoto County participation.
- The site at 2875 Stanton Road would host 41 turbines feeding Colossus 2 and Macrohardrr data centers, with xAI running temporary-mobile turbines since last August amid emissions of 21.54 tons HAP uncontrolled and over 6.4 million tons of greenhouse gases annually.
- SELC and NAACP plan to sue over unpermitted turbines, noting they must wait 60 days after notice, with groups like MCAP already pursuing legal action.
- As part of a broader push for self-supplied power, xAI, owned by SpaceX after February merger, is securing capacity for AI systems Grok and Colossus after pledging at last week’s White House meeting.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Elon Musk's xAI granted power plant permit despite backlash from nearby residents: 'Families … will be forced to live with this'
Despite strong opposition from the local community over pollution and noise concerns, officials have granted Elon Musk's xAI permission to build a massive methane gas power plant to supply electricity to several of the company's data centers. The plant, which will include 41 gas-burning turbines, will be built in Southaven, Mississippi, according to CNBC. What's happening? As communities and consumers have grappled with the staggering electric…
Mississippi regulators greenlight xAI’s Southaven power plant despite strong public opposition
Despite overwhelming public opposition, Mississippi regulators on Tuesday approved an operating permit for 41 gas-powered turbines to run at xAI’s Southaven power plant.The new turbines will help power Grok, xAI’s controversial chatbot. A recent Floodlight visual investigation confirmed the plant was operating more than a dozen of the 27 unpermitted turbines already located at the site. The Environmental Protection Agency has long required that …
Elon Musk’s xAI wins permit for power plant supporting AI data centers
Mississippi regulators have approved a permit allowing Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI to construct a natural gas power plant in Southaven. The facility is expected to support the company’s expanding AI infrastructure tied to its Colossus data center operations near Memphis. The development was reported by CNBC, citing confirmation from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). According to the report, regulator…
Mississippi Permit Board Grants xAI’s Request for 41 Southaven Gas Turbines to Power Grok
The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board has granted xAI’s request to add dozens of permanent gas turbines to its facility in Southaven, Mississippi, dealing a blow to area residents who blame Elon Musk’s company for contributing to noise and air pollution in their communities. The post Mississippi Permit Board Grants xAI’s Request for 41 Southaven Gas Turbines to Power Memphis Data Center appeared first on Mississippi Free Press.
Elon Musk's AI Company Secures Permit In Red State To Build Plant That Will Power Data Centers * 100PercentFedUp.com * by Danielle
Elon Musk’s xAI has secured a permit with Mississippi state regulators to build a power plant in the town of Southaven to power its nearby data centers. “The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) held a board meeting earlier in the day to vote on whether to issue the permit,” CNBC reports. The plant will have “41 natural gas-burning turbines,” the outlet noted. Elon Musk's xAI wins permit to build power plant in Mississippi des…
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