xAI won approval from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to operate 41 methane gas turbines at its Colossus 2 data centre in Southaven, Mississippi, nearly double the number it had previously been running on site.
The turbines will supply power for xAI’s large compute clusters that support its Grok artificial intelligence models. The decision follows months of community complaints about noise, air quality and unpermitted generator use.
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Community groups pushed back at the hearing and in filings, with quotes cited in media reports describing outrage among environmental and climate interest groups. Meanwhile, reports also point to opposition related to impacts on nearby residential areas.
It is anticipated that local and environmental interest groups may continue to dispute the regulatory greenlight.
The recap
MDEQ approved xAI's permit for a Southaven power plant.
Permit covers 41 natural gas-burning turbines to power data centers.
NAACP and SELC plan to sue over unpermitted turbine use.