Posted on 04/11/2026 8:03:14 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
Environmental groups are legally challenging a permit that Mississippi granted to xAI allowing the company to build a massive, methane gas-burning power plant in the state.
The permit application had "deficiencies," like inaccurate air pollution estimates, the groups said, adding that regulators rushed what should have been a careful process.
Now part of SpaceX, xAI wants to build the power plant to provide electricity for its data center in nearby Memphis, Tennessee, and another one coming in Southaven, Mississippi.
Elon Musk's xAI, now owned by SpaceX, is facing a new legal challenge from environmental groups in Mississippi, where the company plans to build a massive, methane gas-burning power plant in the town of Southaven.
Nonprofits including the NAACP, Young, Gifted & Green, and the Safe and Sound Coalition want Mississippi to revoke the permit that the state's environmental regulator granted to xAI last month allowing it to build the plant. Members of the groups live near xAI's local operations.
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Yes, xAI is building (and has partially already installed) a dedicated power plant in Southaven, Mississippi, to supply electricity for its massive AI data centers/supercomputers in the region (primarily the Colossus 2 facility in nearby Memphis, Tennessee, and a new one called MACROHARDRR in Southaven itself).
Key Details on the Project
What it is: xAI purchased a long-dormant former Duke Energy power plant site (about 114 acres) and installed 27 temporary natural gas-fired turbines (initially without full permits, which drew criticism and legal threats). Mississippi regulators later approved a permit for 41 permanent turbines capable of generating around 1.2 GW of power.
These are essentially a large on-site gas power plant tailored for xAI’s high-energy AI computing needs.9afee2
Timeline and status: Temporary turbines began operating in late 2025/early 2026 to support rapid expansion. The permanent permit was granted by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Permit Board on March 10, 2026, despite public hearings with significant opposition over noise, air quality, and pollution. Environmental groups (including the Southern Environmental Law Center, Earthjustice, and NAACP) have challenged the permit in court or via appeals, arguing it was rushed, used inaccurate emissions estimates, and ignores community health impacts.
Scale and purpose: The setup powers xAI’s growing AI infrastructure in the Memphis/Southaven area. xAI is investing over $20 billion in the region (described by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves as the largest private investment in state history), including data center construction/retrofits. The power plant helps ensure reliable, on-site energy for the compute-intensive operations.
“At No Cost to the State”?
No, the state is not paying for the power plant itself. xAI is fully funding and building the facility on land it acquired. This is a private project by xAI (now affiliated with SpaceX in some reports).
There are incentives and benefits for Mississippi:
xAI qualified for the state's Data Center Incentive (sales and use tax exemptions on computing equipment/software).
Local agreements (fee-in-lieu) with the City of Southaven and DeSoto County provide additional support.
The project is expected to generate tax revenue for public services (safety, education, etc.) and bring economic development.
In short, the state isn't subsidizing the power plant construction directly, but it is offering typical economic development incentives to attract the investment—common for large tech/data center projects. No evidence suggests the state is covering any capital costs for the turbines or plant.
The project has been controversial locally due to complaints about turbine noise (described as “jet engines” running day and night) and potential pollution from the gas turbines, which could emit significant greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Supporters highlight the massive private investment and jobs/economic boost in the area.
As of April 2026, the permit stands but faces ongoing legal/environmental pushback. For the absolute latest developments, check official sources like the Mississippi DEQ or recent news from outlets covering the region.
Air pollution from burning methane gas? You mean the stuff my kitchen stove and oven burns that doesn’t require an exhaust to the outside because it burns so clean?
Yup.
Next time Musk wants to build a power plant in a red state, he’d better avoid the black majority areas/cities and build in the deep red areas.
The black majority cities are guaranteed to try and steal his money.
That’s what they do.
Yep, that’s the stuff! Not only that, but the combustion products are CO2, Nitrogen, and water vapor...there very same things that come out of your own lungs!
Mississippi is red-no comprende.
Not Jackson, well, Jackson literally red, as in Commie.
It was actually named Colossus?!?
😳
The NAACP is becoming an enviro-wacko “Green” lobby now?
Did they finally notice that the race grift is petering out? lol
This, but there is more.
Red states have blue cities/counties. Stay well away from blue jurisdictions; especially blue jurisdictions populated by white liberals. They are the worst.
A business is better off piling their money up in the front yard and setting it alight rather than investing in a city governed by a herd of AWFULs.
Musk’s sense of humor hits a bit odd at times.
Outsiders stirring it up
If you want lower power bills, the data centers need to be energy independent. Letting the data centers make deals with the grid suppliers just drives up Joe smuckwheats monthly power bill.
Yes.
More proof that 99% of non-profits aka NGOs are liberal scum of the earth. They do nothing useful, but parasites do get their paychecks. They are grifting vehicles that represent themselves as holy do-gooders.
“If you want lower power bills, the data centers need to be energy independent”
Read above. This Elon AI project generates power.
/Forbin wept….
That’s what I mean he came in staying away from just buying up local Megawatts. He was bringing his own. That leaves local supply and demand alone. If Figbiesphucckup power producers are offered big bucks to supply Elon or Jackson Mississippi power? Well money talks and bullshitz walk.
Odd is their use of the name “methane” in the suit. It sounds bad. In reality it is natural gas which commercially is as follows and can vary by source but all are the same with differing percentages.
This is what it really is:
Natural gas is primarily composed of methane (
), typically making up 70% to 95% of its volume. The remaining composition includes other hydrocarbon gases—ethane (
), propane (
), and butane (
)—along with non-hydrocarbon gases like nitrogen (
), carbon dioxide (
), and trace amounts of helium
When it burns it becomes CO2 and water. CO2 is plant food.
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