SpaceX delays removal of unpermitted turbines for xAI data centers until July 2027
SpaceX announced it will not fully remove the unpermitted gas turbines powering its xAI data centers near Memphis until July 2027, as it transitions to a new permanent natural gas power plant. The company is currently operating 69 gas turbines at these sites and plans to invest $2.8 billion in additional turbines over three years for its data center needs. The use of unpermitted turbines has drawn legal challenges from the NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center, who argue that they violate federal regulations due to their size and emissions potential—over 2,000 tons per year of smog-forming NOx. SpaceX claims it is legally allowed to operate them because they remain on transport trailers. The Department of Justice recently supported this stance in a lawsuit. The new power plant will include 41 gas turbines with capacities between 16.48 and 50 megawatts, according to Mississippi permit documents. These appear different from the current fleet, suggesting SpaceX may be planning another undisclosed project.
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Topics: data centers Mississippi regulation NAACP lawsuit natural gas turbines SpaceX xAI