The Trump administration is attempting to assist xAI Corp., founded by Elon Musk, in a Clean Air Act lawsuit initiated by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The U.S. government argues that the lawsuit jeopardizes an xAI data center that supports Grok systems utilized by the military.
The NAACP filed the lawsuit against xAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech in April, claiming they violated the Clean Air Act by operating 27 gas turbines without an air permit in Southaven, Mississippi. By mid-May, the number of unpermitted turbines had increased to 57, with plans for two additional installations, according to the NAACP's June 12 filing.
The lawsuit states that the Colossus Gas Plant, operated by the defendants, powers the nearby Colossus 2 data center, which in turn supports the chatbot Grok. The operation of these gas turbines has raised health concerns and led to noise complaints from local residents.