xAI Operated Unpermitted Gas Turbines in Mississippi Data Center
The NAACP alleged that xAI and subsidiary MZX Tech LLC operated twenty-seven unpermitted gas turbines at a data center in Southaven, Mississippi between August and December 2025, violating Clean Air Act requirements. The plaintiffs, representing residents in communities with significant Black populations near the facility, sued seeking an injunction and damages, while the U.S. Department of Justice intervened to defend the operation on national security grounds.
What happened
Between August and December 2025, xAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech LLC installed and operated twenty-seven gas turbines at a facility in Southaven, Mississippi, to power the Colossus data center without obtaining an air permit required under the Clean Air Act.
The State of Mississippi determined that no permit was required, but the NAACP and NAACP Mississippi State Conference filed a lawsuit alleging violations of Clean Air Act permitting requirements.
Reported impact
The facility emits significant amounts of dangerous pollutants harmful to human health. Tens of thousands of people, including NAACP members, live, work, study and worship in homes, churches and schools immediately surrounding the gas plant, with a much larger share of the population being Black than in the broader region.
Index analysis
The plaintiffs alleged that xAI rushed to build the facility without mandatory permits and sought an injunction to power down the facility and damages.
Governance controls
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to intervene and dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the Executive Branch has ultimate responsibility for enforcing federal law and that the facility is critical to national security and the Department of War's AI capabilities.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.