EPA: Elon's methane-powered xAI datacenter illegally generating electricity
Boing Boing • • business
Key Points:
- The EPA has ruled that xAI's methane gas turbines at its Tennessee datacenter are illegally generating electricity, stating that the turbines are not exempt from air quality regulations despite being labeled as "portable" or "temporary."
- xAI exploited a local loophole allowing generators to operate without permits if not stationary for more than 364 days, initially running up to 35 turbines; it later obtained permits for 15 turbines and currently operates 12 permitted units.
- The EPA's new ruling places turbine permitting under federal jurisdiction, but it remains unclear how enforcement or penalties will be applied to non-compliant companies.
- The turbines negatively impact air quality, increasing health risks such as cancer and respiratory diseases, disproportionately affecting a historically poor and Black neighborhood targeted by
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