SpaceX to Remove Unpermitted xAI Gas Turbines Near Memphis by 2027
By July 2027, SpaceX is set to eliminate all 69 temporary gas turbines from its xAI data center located in Southaven, Mississippi, following a directive from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. The removal process is scheduled to commence in August 2026. In their place, a permanent power plant boasting 1.2 gigawatts and 41 gas turbines will be constructed, with a Clean Air Act permit granted in March 2026. SpaceX plans to install selective catalytic reduction devices on the mobile turbines and asserts that local air quality complies with EPA standards. The facility is currently under legal scrutiny from the NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center regarding unpermitted turbines. A letter from Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. identified the turbines as a significant source of pollution. SpaceX finalized the acquisition of xAI in February.
Key facts
- SpaceX agreed to remove all 69 temporary gas turbines by July 2027.
- Removal begins as early as August 2026.
- Turbines are being replaced by a permanent 1.2 GW plant with 41 gas turbines permitted in March 2026.
- SpaceX is adding selective catalytic reduction devices and investing in noise reduction.
- NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center sued xAI over unpermitted turbines.
- Justice Department moved to intervene and dismiss the suit on security grounds.
- Turbines are the largest pollution source in Memphis area, five times the airport.
- xAI acquisition by SpaceX closed in February.
Entities
Institutions
- SpaceX
- xAI
- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
- NAACP
- Southern Environmental Law Center
- Justice Department
- TechCrunch
- EPA
- Department of Justice
- APR Energy
Locations
- Southaven
- Mississippi
- Memphis
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- United States
Sources
- Quartz —
- TechCrunch AI —