Shelby County health department grants xAI an air permit for gas turbines at Colossus

xAI/Colossus

The Shelby County Health Department approved an air permit for 15 permanent natural-gas turbines at xAI's Colossus site in South Memphis with caps on rolling 12-month nitrogen oxide and other pollutant emissions. The Southern Environmental Law Center and NAACP said they would challenge the permit.

• 15 permanent turbines approved; equipped with state-of-the-art emissions controls.
• Facility described as lowest-emitting of its kind in the country.
• Rolling 12-month caps on NOx, ammonia and hazardous air pollutants; monthly measurement required.
• SELC and NAACP pledged legal challenge despite health department approval.