Breakthrough in xAI supercomputer power dispute: Mississippi approves 41 gas turbines

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued an official permit on March 10, 2026, for the operation of 41 gas turbines at a power plant owned by xAI in Southaven. This decision came despite loud protests from the local community and environmental organizations, which had been warning for months about the investment's negative impact on the environment and quality of life. The permit application was submitted by MZX Tech LLC, an entity linked to the technology company xAI. The new energy infrastructure is intended to directly power the data center of the tech giant, expanding its existing operations in nearby Memphis, Tennessee.

Approval of the project has sparked a wave of criticism from Southaven residents, who compare the noise generated by the operating equipment to the sound of jet engines. Influential groups, including the NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), have opposed the investment, raising arguments about air pollution and a lack of transparency in the investment process. Activists point out that xAI had previously operated turbines in the region without the legally required permits, which led to intervention by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Local communities express deep disappointment with the regulators' stance, which they believe prioritized corporate interests over citizen well-being.

„We are slowly stopping to love this place” — Southaven resident via TVN24

The legal dispute surrounding Elon Musk's company's operations in Mississippi and Tennessee intensified after it was revealed that 35 gas turbines had previously operated without proper emission certificates. In response to these violations, environmental organizations filed a notice of intent to sue xAI for violating the Clean Air Act. SELC representatives emphasize that a makeshift gas power plant in the heart of a residential area is a temporary and harmful solution, and its legalization by MDEQ sanctions the company's past shortcomings.

The company xAI was founded by Elon Musk in March 2023 as a competitor to OpenAI and Google in the race for dominance in generative artificial intelligence. Its main headquarters and key computing infrastructure are located in Memphis, where the company leases vast production halls in the former Electrolux factories. The rapid development of xAI's data centers requires enormous amounts of electricity, leading to conflicts with local power suppliers and forcing the company to build its own gas-powered sources. Similar tensions between big tech and ecology occurred in the past during the construction of Tesla factories in Germany and Mexico.

41 (turbin) — number of gas units covered by the new permit

xAI turbine dispute in Mississippi: August 28, 2024 — Revelation of illegal turbines; February 17, 2026 — Public hearing; March 6, 2026 — Lawsuit announcement; March 10, 2026 — Permit approval

Perspektywy mediów: Emphasizing the necessity of AI infrastructure development and job creation in the region. Focusing on violations of environmental law and nuisances for residents.