NAACP Demands Shutdown Of Elon Musk’s xAI Facility Built Near Historic Black Community In Memphis
The NAACP is calling on Memphis, TN, officials to shut down Colossus, the controversial supercomputer facility operated by Elon Musk’s xAI, TechCrunch reports.
Located in South Memphis, the facility, according to the outlet, is under fire for allegedly operating dozens of gas turbines without proper permits and releasing hazardous pollutants into surrounding communities.
In a letter sent via email to the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) and Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW),on May 29, 2025, NAACP leaders demanded an emergency order halting operations. If a full shutdown isn’t possible, they urged city officials to at least cite the company for violating clean air standards.
The case, now known as the NAACP Colossus complaint, is gaining national attention and posing more profound queries regarding the relationship between environmental justice and high-tech development in Black communities.
Pollution In A Historically Black Neighborhood
Boxtown, a historically Black neighborhood that has long experienced environmental harm, is close to the Colossus facility, NBC reports.
The NAACP’s letter notes that residents in the area already face cancer rates four times the national average, a crisis they argue is exacerbated by emissions from Colossus.
The facility operates gas turbines that release formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide—pollutants that reportedly exceed EPA limits. While xAI has applied for a permit to run 15 turbines, the NAACP alleges the company has been running “at least 35 gas turbines” over the past year without approval.
City officials previously claimed xAI didn’t need permits for the first year, per TechCrunch.
Is This A Larger Pattern Of Environmental Racism?
The NAACP Colossus case reflects a growing national concern: tech infrastructure, especially energy-intensive facilities like data centers, is disproportionately built near communities of color. From AI supercomputers to industrial plants, these projects often move forward with limited community input, leaving residents to deal with the consequences.
“While we applaud research and innovation, there must be limits that ensure that communities are healthy and alive to enjoy the benefits of any potential innovation,” the NAACP’s letter states. “The immense amount of fossil fuels needed to power AI and the amount of water needed to cool these centers must be a concern for us all.”
The letter goes on to cite Musk’s description of the Colossus facility as “the world’s largest and most powerful supercomputer,” emphasizing the scale and impact of the operation. It also criticizes the lack of public oversight, noting that MLGW has acknowledged xAI did not undergo transparent or community-inclusive permitting processes.
“No one should be above reproach when asked to follow laws created to protect health,” the letter asserts.
The Road Ahead For South Memphis
According to TechCrunch, the letter was addressed to SCHD Director Dr. Michelle Taylor, who is leaving her role for a position in Baltimore, MD. Per the outlet, a spokesperson told NBC News that MLGW says it hasn’t yet received the letter, and xAI has not issued a public response.
As operations at Colossus continue, community activists and environmental advocates are making it clear: South Memphis deserves answers—and accountability.
