XAI threatened with lawsuit under Clean Air Act
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company and Texas-based Solaris Energy Infrastructure operate natural gas turbines that do not have an air-emissions permit.
Topic: Southern Environmental Law Center
RSSThere are 28 article(s) tagged Southern Environmental Law Center:
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February 2026
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June 2025
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David vs. Goliath: NAACP readies lawsuit against Musk’s xAI over turbines
They plan to sue Elon Musk’s xAI for alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act, stemming from the company’s use of natural gas turbines to partially power its Southwest Memphis supercomputer.
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May 2025
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Chamber: xAI does not plan to use turbines at Whitehaven site
Documents show artificial intelligence company xAI considered using dozens of natural-gas turbines to power the second data center. However, the Greater Memphis Chamber said the company is “is demobilizing turbines in Shelby County.”
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April 2025
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Environmental groups say xAI violating federal law with turbines
The groups are urging the Health Department to issue an emergency order to stop xAI’s operation of what appear to be dozens of natural gas turbines in Southwest Memphis.
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November 2024
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TVA board votes to serve xAI, but not without questions
Multiple TVA board members asked questions about the impact xAI has had on surrounding neighborhoods in Westwood and Boxtown.
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August 2024
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MLGW says it can’t reject serving xAI with electricity
The utility company also said the supercomputer’s heavy electric load will have “no impact” on its reliability.
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February 2024
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Lawmakers consider wetlands compromise ‘too important not to get right’
Half of the state’s wetlands — often described as “earth’s kidneys — could be deregulated under a new proposal, but lawmakers are looking at a compromise that would take wetlands’ size and quality into account.
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Half of Tennessee wetlands could lose protection under a proposed bill
Rep. Kevin Vaughan, R-Collierville, has proposed a new wetlands bill that he says is more equitable to landowners.
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January 2024
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Between wind and water: How the Health Department could help the environment
The Shelby County Health Department is charged with protecting and promoting environmental health, but advocates say the agency is not doing enough to keep the area’s air and water safe.
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August 2023
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South Memphis EtO facility plans to relocate
The attorney representing Sterilization Services said in a recent letter that the company will leave its Florida Street facility before next May.
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June 2023
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State Attorney General leads resistance to proposed EPA regulations of EtO
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed tighter restrictions on ethylene oxide, or EtO, which is used in a South Memphis facility. But 20 state attorneys general are urging the EPA to forgo or defer the regulations.
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March 2023
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Health Department study finds no cancer clusters near EtO producer
The Shelby County Health Department shared the results of its first-ever cancer incidence study on Tuesday, March 28. It found no evidence of cancer clusters near a South Memphis facility that emits a cancer-causing chemical called ethylene oxide, or EtO.
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February 2023
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Memphis air pollution study flawed, expert says
When a study last year looked at how much of cancer-causing chemical was seeping into the air, and potentially harming local residents, it used standards better suited to indoor air quality and workers in protective equipment.
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No legal authority to stop South Memphis EtO emissions, Health Department says
The Southern Environmental Law Center said that EtO pollution in Memphis justifies the use of the Shelby County health officer’s emergency powers. The health department disagreed.
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Federal judge dismisses lawsuit over TVA’s long-term contracts
The U.S. District Court judge suggested the plaintiffs take their grievances to Congress, not the court system.
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December 2022
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Federal judge hears challenge to TVA’s long-term contracts
U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker presided over a four-hour hearing Thursday concerning the legality of TVA’s long-term contract.
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November 2022
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TVA’s long-term contract in court this week
A lawsuit alleges that TVA’s long-term contracts violate two federal laws. A U.S. district judge will hear the case Thursday.
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September 2022
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Advocacy groups request longer public comment period on MLGW power proposals
“MLGW’s decision on its future power supply is one of the most consequential single decisions that any community has made in the history of SACE’s work throughout the Southeast region over the past three decades,” said the executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
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Clean energy advocates: MLGW could be leaving ‘value on the table’ with TVA proposal
The Tennessee director of the Southern Environmental Law Center said TVA’s proposed agreement make it difficult to change energy providers, and it’s unlikely that MLGW would undergo another evaluation process similar to the current one if it signs a long-term deal.
Related stories:
MLGW leaders recommend staying with TVA for greatest value, least risk
Suburban mayors back MLGW recommendation, still want representation
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July 2022
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Community celebrates Byhalia Pipeline cancellation one year later
After the Byhalia Pipeline project was canceled on July 2, 2021, the residents who opposed it met at Alonzo Weaver Park for a celebration. A year later, they returned to the same spot to mark the occasion once again.
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Environmental groups urge MLGW to invest in renewable energy
The organizations said it’s a crucial moment as MLGW’s board prepares to make a recommendation on its next electric supplier contract.
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January 2022
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Judge orders more info from TVA on long-term contracts
The Tennessee Valley Authority has to turn over material about the 20-year contract agreement it wants Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division and all the other local utilities in its system to sign.
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July 2021
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TVA’s connection to a more complex water movement
The Tennessee Valley Authority supplies electric power to Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division. But the possibility of MLGW leaving TVA is also a part of the issue with the city’s water supply and its safety.
Related stories
Out of the pipeline: The city's water movement and how it evolved
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April 2021
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Existing pipeline makes Byhalia Connection unneeded, environmental groups say
Environmental groups are asking the state to reconsider a permit for the proposed Byhalia Connection oil pipeline because they say an existing pipeline could serve the same purpose.
Related Story:
Plains All American mounting fight against revised city ordinance
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Byhalia pipeline case moves to federal court
The fight over the controversial Byhalia Connection oil pipeline has moved into a new arena: The federal court system.
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