SpaceXAI to remove temporary power generators from Colossus data center over environmental concerns

SpaceXAI plans to dismantle 69 mobile turbine generators from its Colossus data center starting in August, completing the removal by July 2027. The move follows legal pressure over environmental contamination attributed to the temporary power equipment used to rapidly establish the facility. The generators operated without required environmental permits under U.S. regulations. Complaints from nearby residents and lawsuits filed by civil rights groups prompted the Environmental Protection Agency to confirm that the equipment did not qualify for regulatory exemptions, despite its intended temporary status. The company has since negotiated compliance terms with environmental authorities. SpaceXAI is constructing a permanent 1.2 GW power plant featuring 41 approved turbines under Clean Air Act permits granted in 2026. The company will also retrofit its mobile generators with advanced emissions-control systems. The situation underscores a broader trend in which major data center operators, including OpenAI, are building independent power infrastructure to support operations.