The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board has officially cleared the way for xAI to install 41 permanent gas turbines at its facility in Southaven. The decision, reached during a public meeting in Jackson on Tuesday, allows the company to power its “Colossus 2” data center in nearby Memphis, which supports the Grok AI chatbot.
According to a report by the Mississippi Free Press, the board voted unanimously to grant the permit to MZX Tech, an affiliate of xAI. These new machines will replace 27 unpermitted turbines that have been operating at the site. While company officials claim the move will secure technological leadership and economic growth for Mississippi, residents who live near the plant are voicing serious concerns about their health and quality of life.
Local families have complained for months about a constant droning sound, similar to a jet engine, coming from the site. During the meeting, Southaven resident Shannon Samsa told the board that the permit prioritizes industrial development over the safety of the people living nearby. Others expressed skepticism that the company will follow the new rules, noting that previous attempts to contact xAI about noise and air pollution went ignored.
To address environmental worries, the permit requires xAI to use specific control technologies to limit harmful emissions. The company must also perform regular modeling to prove the turbines are not violating air quality standards. Representative Brent Mayo stated that xAI has worked with the EPA and state regulators to ensure the project meets and exceeds legal requirements.
The approval comes despite legal threats from the NAACP, which recently announced plans to sue the company for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act by using unpermitted turbines. While state regulators argued the original engines were temporary, residents like Samsa say they feel failed by the system and are now exploring their own legal options to protect their community.