xAI Colossus data center pollution probe

U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent a letter to Elon Musk demanding documents and answers about the environmental and public health impacts of xAI's Colossus 1 and Colossus 2 data centers in United States — Tennessee and United States — Mississippi. The facilities have been operating dozens of natural gas turbines without required federal clean-air permits, according to Reuters and Pallone's letter. The turbines are located near predominantly Black communities, and emissions reportedly exceed thresholds that would normally trigger permitting. Pallone accused SpaceX, which owns xAI, of showing disregard for local communities. The NAACP has filed a Clean Air Act lawsuit against xAI, and the Justice Department moved to intervene and dismiss that suit, citing national security. The inquiry reflects growing scrutiny of AI data centers' energy demands and environmental impacts.