xAI data centers operate unpermitted gas turbines in Mississippi and Tennessee
xAI's data center facilities in Southaven, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee reportedly operate portable gas turbines without required environmental permits under the Clean Air Act. The NAACP has filed notices of intent to sue, alleging the unpermitted emissions illegally pollute Black communities, while the EPA has reaffirmed that such sources require permits under federal law.
What happened
Thermal drone footage captured in late January 2026 by Floodlight showed 15 of 27 unpermitted portable gas turbines operating at xAI's facility in Southaven, Mississippi, nearly two weeks after the EPA reaffirmed in a January final ruling that such pollution sources require state permits under the Clean Air Act.
xAI operates data centers named Colossus in Memphis, Tennessee and Colossus 2 in Southaven, Mississippi. State regulators in Mississippi contend that turbines on tractor trailers do not require permits, whereas the EPA maintains they must have permits or be subject to no emission standards at all.
Reported impact
Community members in Southaven have complained about noise and pollution from Colossus 2 and circulated a petition demanding accountability from Mississippi regulators.
The NAACP alleges xAI has been polluting Black communities near its Southaven facility with toxic pollutants from unpermitted methane gas generators.
Index analysis
Regulators are struggling to keep pace with datacenters' increasing reliance on custom-built or ad hoc power sources and their public health impacts on surrounding communities, with Southaven exemplifying a case where state regulators are at odds with federal guidance.
Governance controls
The EPA declined to answer questions about the turbines and referred to local authorities on permits. The Trump administration has initiated a record-low number of enforcement actions under the EPA.
A public hearing on the matter was scheduled for 17 February 2026, with the public comment period still open. The NAACP filed a notice of intent to sue on a Friday in February 2026; its first notice of intent regarding the Memphis facility was filed in June 2025, 60 days before potential legal action.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.