Judge allows NAACP lawsuit over xAI data center pollution to move forward

According to TechCrunch, a federal judge has allowed an NAACP lawsuit against xAI to proceed, denying the company's motion to dismiss the case alleging it operated gas turbines at its Colossus data center without required air permits. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs have statutory standing under the Clean Air Act, that the combustion turbines do not qualify as mobile sources under Mississippi's State Implementation Plan, and that the citizen suit provision does not violate the Constitution.

The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing the NAACP, said xAI installed and operated at least 35 combustion turbines without preconstruction or operating permits. xAI had argued the turbines were mobile and exempt from permitting, and that plaintiffs lacked standing. The judge rejected both arguments, also dismissing xAI's claim that citizen lawsuits are unconstitutional. A similar motion from the Department of Justice was denied earlier this month. The case continues as public scrutiny of data centers increases.

Source

Judge allows NAACP lawsuit over xAI data center pollution to move forward — TechCrunch