Environmental activists demand answers from Shelby County Health Department as xAI awaits permit approval to run turbines
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Community outcry continues over the Southwest Memphis xAI facility’s active use of gas turbines as the Shelby County Health Department considers approving or denying continued use of the turbines.
Wednesday, the Shelby County Commission introduced a resolution calling on xAI, Tennessee Valley Authority, MLGW and the Chamber of Commerce to provide an update on when the data center can end the need for using these methane-powered turbines.
No representatives from any of these companies made an appearance to the meeting. Shelby County Health Department Deputy Director Kasia Smith-Alexander appeared before the board to answer questions about the environmental impact of the turbines.
Environmental activists attending the meeting say they were unimpressed with the answers to those questions.
“They gave us a bunch of non-answers. They made a bunch of excuses about why they continue to fail us,” says Orion Overstreet with Tigers vs Musk. “And then before the public comment period, they up and left. That was ridiculous”
“We continue to hear what they can’t do. We continue to hear what’s not possible,” says Memphis Community Against Pollution president KeShaun Pearson. “But what is possible? When are we going to start hearing solutions instead of being fed these nonanswers?”
Smith-Alexander told county commissioners a decision would not be made on the permit approval for several weeks. The public comment period for the permit application ends today.
xAI is requesting approval for permanent use of 15 methane turbines. They are currently authorized to use them temporarily for 364 days.
The Southern Environmental Law Center shared new geothermal images identifying 33 active turbines at xAI. Pearson and his brother State Representative Justin Pearson presented the graphic at a protest rally outside the SCHD building Wednesday afternoon.
“The city of Memphis deserves clean air. The city of Memphis deserves projects that invest in solar energy and clean energy,” says KeShaun Pearson. “And not this destructive type of poison.”
Both Pearsons have argued the turbines are directly contributing to air pollution in Southwest Memphis, putting residents in greater risk of cancer and asthma.
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