As I’ve previously written, xAI has a permit to run 15 gas turbines at its first site, but more than 30 have been spotted running. Those additional turbines are operating under an emergency-use exemption that is good for one year, and were initially slated to provide backup power when the utility company couldn’t keep up. Our county Health Department will be weighing in on the matter later this summer, according to a press release:
The Shelby County Health Department’s Pollution Control Branch has received more than 1,700 public comments regarding the xAI CTC Property LLC application for an air pollution permit for natural gas turbines located at the company’s site at 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road, Memphis, TN.
Each comment will be addressed before any decision is made regarding the permit application. The SCHD Pollution Control Branch expects to complete the permit review process in approximately sixty (60) days.
Meanwhile, the story continues to garner national attention: