Summary:
- The NAACP is urging local officials to shut down operations at Colossus, a supercomputer facility in South Memphis operated by Elon Musk’s xAI.
- Concerns were raised about the facility’s gas turbines emitting hazardous air pollutants, violating clean air laws, and impacting the health of the surrounding historically Black community.
- The NAACP’s letter addressed to the Shelby County Health Department and Memphis Light Gas and Water called for immediate action to address these environmental and health concerns.
Article:
NAACP Calls for Shutdown of Elon Musk’s xAI Colossus Supercomputer Facility in South Memphis
The NAACP has taken a stand against the operations of Colossus, a supercomputer facility in South Memphis run by Elon Musk’s xAI, urging local officials to halt its activities. According to a report by NBC News, the civil rights group sent a letter to the Shelby County Health Department and Memphis Light Gas and Water criticizing the organizations’ approach to the facility’s operations, stating that they should issue an emergency order for xAI to cease operations or at least enforce clean air laws.
One of the main concerns highlighted in the NAACP’s letter is the use of gas turbines at the Colossus facility. While xAI has applied for a permit to operate 15 gas turbines, the NAACP claims that the company has been running at least 35 turbines without proper permitting, emitting hazardous air pollutants such as formaldehyde at levels exceeding EPA limits. These emissions, including nitrogen oxide, pose a significant risk to the health of the surrounding community, particularly the historically Black neighborhood of Boxtown in South Memphis.
The NAACP criticized the Shelby County Health Department for allowing xAI to operate above the law, despite known health issues in the area, including cancer risks that are already four times the national average. The organization emphasized the disproportionate impact of pollution on communities like Boxtown, where industries like Colossus contribute to environmental degradation and health disparities.
As the NAACP calls for action to address these environmental and health concerns, the letter is addressed to Shelby County Health Department Director Michelle Taylor and the commissioners of Memphis Light Gas and Water. The departure of Taylor to a new role in the Baltimore City Health Department adds complexity to the situation, as accountability for addressing the issues raised by the NAACP remains uncertain.
TechCrunch has reached out to the NAACP and xAI for comment on the matter, while Memphis Light Gas and Water has not yet received the NAACP’s letter. The ongoing debate surrounding the operations of Colossus underscores the importance of environmental justice and community health in balancing technological advancements with social responsibility.
