The US Justice Department has intervened in a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s company xAI, which operates a data center in Memphis, Tennessee. The lawsuit, filed by the NAACP, alleges that xAI is operating dozens of gas turbines without air permits or pollution controls in Southaven, Mississippi, producing toxic pollutants that can cause asthma attacks and chest pain.

National Security Concerns

The Justice Department has asked the court to dismiss the suit, citing national security considerations. The department claims that the data center trains and develops AI models that are critical to the economy and defense, and that the lawsuit threatens American energy and innovation.

Environmental law experts have expressed concerns about the move, saying it could set a precedent that undermines the ability of individuals and communities to sue polluters. The Clean Air Act allows individuals and environmental groups to sue polluters in so-called citizen lawsuits, which are seen as a key tool for holding companies accountable for environmental harm.

The case has sparked concerns among local residents, including Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, who lives near the data center. Pearson has criticized the Justice Department’s intervention, saying it seeks to remove any recourse Americans have to protect themselves from harm.

The lawsuit seeks daily fines of around $124,000 for xAI’s alleged pollution infringements and an injunction to stop the turbines operating until permits are secured. xAI has previously said it does not need permits for the turbines, which it claims are temporary.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.