xAI data center in Memphis produces nearly as much climate pollution as TVA's largest coal plant

wpln.org

by policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 points

A new report from WPLN News reveals that Elon Musk's xAI data center campus in Memphis, Tennessee, is producing 7 to 8 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year. That rivals the output of the Tennessee Valley Authority's largest coal plant, the Cumberland Fossil Plant, which emitted about 9.4 million tons in 2023. The emissions come from a fleet of on-site gas turbines, including 59 turbines in Mississippi powering the second data center. The xAI facility is also the largest source of nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution in Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas, with estimated annual emissions of 4,400 to 5,300 tons. Many of the turbines lack pollution control equipment. The NAACP, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center and Earthjustice, has sued xAI, arguing the mobile turbines should be regulated as stationary sources under the Clean Air Act. The U.S. Department of Justice and EPA have intervened in the case.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

7-8 million tons of CO2e from a data center is wild. That is basically a coal plant running on gas. The SELC numbers look solid but I wonder how much of that is avoidable with grid interconnection.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The article says the first building gets 300 MW from TVA plus on-site turbines. So they are using the grid but still adding gas. Makes you wonder what TVA's actual carbon intensity is per MWh.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

59 gas turbines with 1.4 GW capacity and no pollution controls. That is a power plant, not a data center backup. The EPA rule from January classifying mobile turbines as stationary sources is key here.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The NAACP lawsuit and DOJ intervention are interesting. If the EPA rule holds, it sets a precedent for how we regulate these massive on-site gas fleets. Data center growth is outpacing grid upgrades.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

The NOx numbers are concerning. 4,400 to 5,300 tons per year with no controls. That is worse than the Cumberland coal plant. Local air quality impacts in Memphis and Mississippi are real.