xAI Data Center: Controversial Permits for 15 Natural Gas Generators Spark Environmental Debate

Key Points

1. Shelby County regulators permitted xAI to operate 15 Solar SMT-130 generators, capable of producing up to 247 megawatts of electricity.

2. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) alleges xAI has been operating up to 35 generators without proper permits, totaling 421 megawatts.

3. The NAACP is prepared to sue xAI for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, citing emissions of pollutants like NOx, carbon monoxide, VOCs, and hazardous air pollutants.

4. Environmental concerns include the lack of ozone level measurements in air quality tests and the broader impact of large-scale AI development on energy consumption.

5. The situation highlights the tension between rapid AI innovation and ecological responsibility, with calls for stricter regulatory oversight and renewable energy adoption.