The background: The NAACP claims that Elon Musk’s xAI is violating the Clean Air Act at its Colossus 2 data center in Mississippi, where the company is allegedly running 27 gas turbines without a permit (and posing health risks to the surrounding community).
The signal: The DOJ has gotten involved, claiming the military depends on xAI’s “Grok Gov” model—so powering off these turbines would threaten national security interests. Depending on how the case plays out, it could enable data centers serving defense functions to skirt pollution rules.
Molly Glick
Energy Central Team
Wed, Jun 17