Concerns over environmental impact have been mounting as AI data centers claim larger spaces and consume substantial energy. For instance, Elon Musk’s xAI has sparked controversy among Tennessee organizations due to its establishment. The NAACP and Young, Gifted & Green have filed complaints with the health department, demanding action against the South Memphis data center for emitting harmful pollutants in the surrounding area.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) publicized a statement concerning their joint initiative with advocacy group Young, Gifted & Green to challenge xAI. They teamed up with the Southern Environmental Law Center and submitted an appeal to the Memphis and Shelby County Air Pollution Control Boards. In this filing, they questioned the Shelby County Health Department’s issuance of air permits to xAI and their permission for the company to run methane gas turbines continuously, day and night.
Today, the Southeastern Legal Foundation (SELF), acting on behalf of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Young, Gifted, & Green, has filed an appeal with the Memphis and Shelby County Air Pollution Control Board. This appeal contests the Shelby County Health Department’s decision to grant an air permit to xAI, as well as various related decisions made by the department.
— NAACP (@NAACP) July 16, 2025
Abre’ Conner, Head of Environmental and Climate Justice, issued a statement accompanying the submissions made by Memphis and Shelby County:
The development of eXplaineable Artificial Intelligence (xAI) has faced intermittent progress due to Elon Musk and his team’s fast-paced, sometimes dubious outcomes and frequent changes in focus, while the environmental impact of artificial intelligence technology on regions surrounding data centers has raised concerns as the importance of AI in tech company agendas has grown.
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson stated, ‘We are determined to make sure that the health department and all other agencies adhere to the law, prioritizing the safety and welfare of Black people over Elon Musk’s xAI profits. We believe it is unacceptable for our wellbeing to be compromised by billionaires who flout the law.’
Keep an eye out for further developments regarding the NAACP and other advocacy groups’ actions on the xAI issue. We’ll bring you the latest updates and news as they become available.
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2025-07-17 17:57