Federal judge approves naacp's lawsuit against xAI over data center pollution

A federal judge has allowed the NAACP's lawsuit against xAI to proceed, accusing the company of operating gas turbines at its Colossus data center outside Memphis without the required air permits. The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing the NAACP, claimed xAI operated at least 35 combustion turbines without proper preconstruction or operating permits, violating the Clean Air Act. xAI sought dismissal, arguing the turbines are exempt due to being mobile and that plaintiffs lacked standing. Judge Debra M. Brown rejected these claims, affirming the plaintiffs' statutory standing under the Clean Air Act. NAACP's Abre’ Connor called the decision a victory in holding xAI accountable. The case continues amid growing public opposition to data centers, with New York imposing a moratorium and other states considering similar measures. Amazon and Microsoft have also pledged to end NDAs with government agencies, potentially influencing the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.