xAI’s „Colossus“ supercomputer is under scrutiny as it plans to utilize 15 gas turbines for continuous operation in Memphis, Tennessee. An operating permit obtained by the Shelby County Health Department allows this usage from June 2025 to June 2030.
Environmental concerns have surfaced due to the emissions from these 20-year-old turbines. They release hazardous air pollutants (HAP), including formaldehyde, at levels that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual cap of 10 tons for a single source. Reports indicate that each turbine emits 11.51 tons of HAP per year.
Approximately 22,000 residents live within a five-mile radius of the facility. The turbines have been operational since summer 2024 without public notification or oversight, raising transparency issues regarding the company’s communication with the community and local officials.
The Shelby County Health Department has stated that the permits have not yet been approved, and there is currently no timeline for approval.
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