Transcript:

In 2025, Elon Musk’s company xAI developed its second huge AI data center near South Memphis – a predominantly Black area already burdened by air pollution from power plants, an oil refinery, and other industrial facilities.

To power the data center, xAI erected a methane gas plant nearby. This plant emits climate-warming CO2 and other pollutants directly into the air residents breathe.

Abre’ Conner is director of the NAACP’s Center for Environmental and Climate Justice.

Conner: “When I saw what was happening in South Memphis, that seemed to demonstrate the same pattern that’s been going on for decades … of industry showing up in communities where they’re hoping that they are not going to get as much pushback, or showing up in places where there’s already existing industrial build out.”

Earlier this year, the NAACP sued xAI, accusing the company of violating the Clean Air Act.

That lawsuit is ongoing. And other legal challenges to data centers have also been filed across the country as communities fight to ensure the health of their most vulnerable residents is not sacrificed for the data center boom.

Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media