Elon Musk’s xAI is operating close to 50 natural gas turbines at its Mississippi data center. These turbines are considered “mobile” under Mississippi state law because they are placed on flatbed trailers, which allows them to bypass air pollution regulations for a year. The NAACP has filed a lawsuit claiming that emissions from the turbines are degrading air quality in an already polluted area. This week, the NAACP requested an injunction against xAI.
The controversy revolves around the “mobile” classification of the turbines. The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing the NAACP, argues that the turbines contravene federal law, which states that power plants on trailers can be considered stationary, subjecting them to pollution regulations.
XAI has received permits for 15 turbines. The Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce earlier indicated that around half of the 35 turbines operational in May 2025 would stay on site, yet xAI has added more. Presently, 46 turbines are in use, according to a local news report.