NAACP calls on local officials to stop businesses at Colossus, the “supercomputer” unit operated by Elon Musk’s XAI in southern Memphis.
As Reported to NBC NewsLeaders from the Civil Rights Group sent a letter on Thursday In the Health Department of County Shelby and Memphis’s Light Gas and Water, criticizing the “lack of approach to organizations” for the operation of this dirty data center “and inviting them to” issue an emergency order to completely stop businesses ” – or if there is no order, at least report and stop the company.
The letter expressed particular concerns about the gas turbines that Xai runs in the power of Colossus. The company has applied for permission to continue operating 15 gas turbines in the facility, although NAACP said the authorities “allowed XAI to operate at least 35 gases without any permission” in the past year. City officials said in the past that Xai did not need licenses for the first year of use of turbines.
These turbines Reportedly, it emits dangerous atmospheric pollutantsincluding formaldehyde, at levels exceeding EPA limits. NAACP’s letter also pointed out the nitrogen-oxide emissions.
Noting that the Colossus facility is close to the South Memphis Boxtown neighborhood, which the letter described as a “historically black community”, NAACP said the site perpetuates “the trend of industries that add pollution to communities that do not cause the problem”.
“Anti [the Shelby County Health Department] The work to reduce health problems known in the area, including that the risks to cancer are already four times the national average, allowed XAI to operate over the law, “NAACP added.
NAACP’s letter is addressed to the director of the Health Ministry of Shelby County Michelle Taylor, as well as the MEMPHIS LIGHT GAS AND WATER commissioners. Taylor is Leaving her role In Shelby County to become the Commissioner of the Baltimore Health Department.
TechCrunch arrived at NAACP and XAI for comments. A spokesman for Memphis’ light gas and water told NBC News that he had not yet received the NAACP letter.
