MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis community members continue to speak out against a project tied to Elon Musk’s supercomputer facility xAI. 

Saturday, April 26, residents gathered at T.O. Fuller Park for an Environmental Justice rally, demanding local leaders deny a permit they claim would harm public health and the environment. 

“We deserve clean air. Clean air is a human right,” said Representative Justin Pearson. 

The community is urging the Shelby County Health Department to deny a permit requested by xAI for a facility holding supercomputers.  

“Our health is not for sale, and our environment really means a lot to us because we live in it,” said ninth grader, Johnathan Williams. 

Activists said this project involves dozens of natural gas turbines that will increase air pollution in our communities. 

“Particularly those who are most vulnerable in 38109, but you know what? Air travels, and so all of us in Shelby County are suffering and the American Lung Association says the same,” said Pearson. 

Their concerns follow the county’s first public town hall on the health risks of the xAI’s Colossus facility.  

“Nothing that they have done over the last year has been transparent or honest. They’re saying they have a permit for 15 gas turbines. Right now, we know that they have 35 gas turbines at that facility, and we know that 33 of those are operating currently. Mayor Young, Mayor Lee Harris, Shelby County Health Director Dr. Michelle Taylor have a responsibility to protect our air quality, and they’re failing to do it,” said Pearson. 

Now, the community wants the local officials to make a change.  

Pearson said there are many steps Dr. Taylor can take.  

“She can go in there and say, if you don’t stop polluting our air with 130 tons of nitrogen oxide and 17.2 tons of formaldehyde, that I am going to require you all to pay a fine of 25,000 dollars every single day. It should increase to be more than that, but at minimum, she can do those things and take those actions right now,” said Pearson.  

Representative Pearson said this week, community leaders will visit Mayor Lee Harris and the Shelby County Health Department to deliver public comments in person.  

The health department is expected to issue a decision on the permit after the public comment period closes on April 30th.