NAACP Calls for Shutdown of xAI Colossus Over Health Threats
*The NAACP has issued a formal demand to shut down Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer site, Colossus, located in South Memphis. The call came on Thursday (05-29-25), in a letter addressed to Shelby County health and utility officials, citing health and environmental violations.
The NAACP claims xAI is running 35 methane gas turbines without proper permits, polluting the air in nearby Boxtown—a historically Black neighborhood already burdened by industry. “Being the world’s richest man doesn’t give you the right to pollute Black communities,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnson.
Colossus: World’s Largest AI Supercomputer With a Toxic Footprint?
Launched in September 2024, Colossus is touted as the world’s biggest AI supercomputer. Housed in a 750,000 square-foot former Electrolux factory, it powers Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok. But behind its high-tech image lies a dirty energy problem.
The facility draws 150 megawatts of power—equal to 100,000 homes—with future plans to scale up to 2,000 MW. To meet demand, xAI installed methane gas turbines that may emit up to 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxides annually, a pollutant linked to asthma and cancer.
Scroll to continue reading
Boxtown Residents Say They’re Being Sacrificed
Boxtown, located just two miles from Colossus, already suffers from some of the worst air quality in Tennessee. It leads the state in asthma ER visits and has a cancer risk four times the national average. Residents feel this is environmental racism in real-time.
“They keep putting dangerous projects in our backyard,” said KeShaun Pearson of Memphis Community Against Pollution. “Colossus is just the latest attack on Black health and safety.”
Officials Caught Between Jobs and Justice
City leaders support Colossus for its economic potential. Memphis Mayor Paul Young has praised it for bringing jobs and tech investment. But critics argue that leaders ignored proper environmental checks. The Shelby County Health Department admitted permits weren’t required in the first year of operation, which environmental lawyers call a legal loophole.
xAI is now seeking permits for 15 turbines with added pollution controls. Dr. Michelle Taylor, head of the health department, is reviewing the application. Meanwhile, residents wait—and breathe in the fumes.
View this post on Instagram
Environmental Groups Say xAI Broke the Rules
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) uncovered the 35 turbines through satellite images. Senior attorney Amanda Garcia called it a “clear circumvention of environmental law.”
Formal complaints note that no public meetings were held before turbines were activated. “Elon Musk showed up in secret, flipped the switch, and put our lungs at risk,” said one advocate.
Memphis Has History of Grassroots Victories
Boxtown residents are no strangers to fighting polluters. They defeated a crude oil pipeline in 2021 and a sterilizer facility in 2023. This time, they’re hoping public pressure forces regulators to pull the plug on Colossus—at least until it meets legal and safety standards.
“We’re not anti-tech,” said Pearson. “We just want clean air. You can’t build the future by poisoning people.”
Musk’s Reputation Adds Fuel to the Fire
Critics point to Elon Musk’s long record of environmental violations at his other companies. Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company have all faced pollution fines. “This is a pattern,” said one Reddit user. “Musk plays by his own rules—and people suffer for it.”
As Musk aligns more publicly with the Trump administration, activists fear environmental oversight may weaken further. “This isn’t just about Colossus,” said NAACP’s Johnson. “It’s about corporate accountability and who gets sacrificed for progress.”
What Happens Next for xAI’s Supercomputer?
As of May 31, 2025, Colossus continues to run. Shelby County’s upcoming decision on xAI’s turbine permits will be a turning point. Air quality monitoring is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, but residents say it’s too little, too late.
“This is the asthma capital of America,” said one Boxtown parent. “We need justice now, not promises.”
@realjustinjpearson Elon Musk’s xAI company violated the public’s trust in Memphis and lied about the Colossus facility that is poisoning our air with gas turbines. xAI submitted a permit for 15 gas turbines, but have been secretly operating 35! The 15 turbines were already emitting 9.79 tons of formaldehyde a year, and now these 35 gas turbines can release up to 16.7 tons. It is unbelievable that the Greater Memphis Chamber has rolled out the red carpet to Elon Musk and xAI at the expense of our health and air quality. @mayorleeharris and @ShelbyTNHealth must DENY the xAI gas turbines permit! Submit your public comment during the Environmental Town Hall Meeting on April 12th at 10am at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church or submit it RIGHT NOW at https://shelbytnhealth.commentinput.com/?id=9eS6hsWJP
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Caleb McLaughlin Explores Horror, Heritage and Identity in New Audible Thriller ‘Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi’ | EUR Video Exclusive
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
