NAACP calls on Memphis officers to halt operations at xAI’s ‘soiled knowledge middle’
The NAACP is asking on native officers to halt operations at Colossus, the “supercomputer” facility operated by Elon Musk’s xAI in South Memphis.
As reported in NBC Information, leaders from the civil rights group despatched a letter Thursday to the Shelby County Well being Division and Memphis Gentle Fuel and Water criticizing the organizations’ “lackadaisical strategy to the operation of this soiled knowledge middle” and calling on them to “concern an emergency order for xAI to cease operations utterly” — or if there’s no order, to a minimum of cite and cease the corporate from allegedly violating clear air legal guidelines.
The letter expressed explicit issues across the gasoline generators that xAI runs to energy Colossus. The corporate has utilized for a allow to proceed working 15 gasoline generators on the facility, though the NAACP stated authorities have “allowed xAI to function a minimum of 35 gasoline generators with none allowing” over the previous yr. Metropolis officers have beforehand stated xAI didn’t want permits for the generators’ first yr of use.
These generators reportedly emit hazardous air pollution, together with formaldehyde, at ranges exceeding EPA limits. The NAACP’s letter additionally pointed to the generators’ nitrogen-oxide emissions.
Noting that the Colossus facility is positioned close to South Memphis’ Boxtown neighborhood, which the letter described as a “traditionally Black group,” the NAACP stated the placement perpetuates “the pattern of industries including air pollution to communities who don’t trigger the issue.”
“As a substitute of [the Shelby County Health Department] working to scale back well being points recognized within the space together with that most cancers dangers are already 4 instances the nationwide common, it has allowed xAI to function above the regulation,” the NAACP added.
The NAACP’s letter is addressed to Shelby County Well being Division Director Michelle Taylor, in addition to Memphis Gentle Fuel and Water’s commissioners; Taylor is leaving her function in Shelby County to turn out to be the commissioner of the Baltimore Metropolis Well being Division.
TechCrunch has reached out to the NAACP and xAI for remark. A spokesperson for Memphis Gentle Fuel and Water informed NBC Information that it had not but acquired the NAACP letter.