Thermal drone footage shows Musk's AI power plant flouting clean air regs
3 days ago
- #public health
- #AI energy consumption
- #environmental violation
- Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, is using unpermitted gas turbines to power data centers in Mississippi, violating EPA regulations.
- Thermal drone footage shows over a dozen turbines emitting pollutants despite EPA rulings requiring permits under the Clean Air Act.
- Mississippi regulators claim the turbines, mounted on trailers, don't need permits, conflicting with federal EPA policy.
- The turbines power Grok, xAI's chatbot, emitting pollutants linked to asthma, lung cancer, and heart attacks.
- Local residents, including those near schools, express health and environmental concerns over the pollution and noise.
- xAI is expanding its operations, applying for permits for more turbines, potentially increasing emissions significantly.
- The EPA has not enforced regulations effectively, leaving state authorities to handle permitting, despite federal oversight responsibilities.
- Community opposition includes petitions and public hearings, with residents fearing long-term health impacts.
- AI's growing energy demand is increasingly met with fossil fuels, despite industry sustainability claims.
- xAI's expansion could make its data center complex one of the largest globally, with significant environmental and health impacts.