EPA rules that xAI’s natural gas generators were illegally used
TechCrunch • • business
Key Points:
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that Elon Musk’s xAI illegally operated dozens of natural gas turbines to power its Colossus data centers in Tennessee, rejecting the company's claim of temporary exemption from regulations.
- The EPA's final ruling, after over a year of review, declared xAI in violation for operating more turbines than permitted, with only 15 allowed but up to 35 in use at one time.
- Local communities and legal organizations criticized the company for increasing ozone and particulate emissions in an already polluted area, leading to a lawsuit against xAI.
- Currently, xAI operates 12 turbines to supply power to its data centers, fewer than the originally permitted number.
