EPA Rule Clarification Hits a Significant Source of Grok’s Electricity
Gizmodo • • business
Key Points:
- The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) challenged Elon Musk's AI company xAI over unpermitted gas turbines at its Memphis-area "Colossus" data centers, claiming they worsen air pollution.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ruling clarifying that gas-powered turbines used even temporarily do not qualify for exemption from clean air permits, undermining xAI's classification of the turbines as "non-road engines."
- Local loopholes previously allowed generators in place for less than 364 days to avoid permits, but updated EPA rules now place permitting authority at the federal level, affecting xAI’s operations.
- SELC expects local health officials to enforce federal air quality laws to protect communities from pollution caused by unpermitted methane gas
