SpaceX says it will take a full year to remove all unpermitted gas turbines from a Mississippi data center operated for xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk. The NAACP has accused the company of violating the Clean Air Act over the turbines, which are part of the Colossus data center complex.
SpaceX is also building a new power plant for xAI's Colossus data centers, according to reports. The company said the removal will not be complete for another year, but it did not say when the work will begin. The exact location of the data center in Mississippi and the number of turbines involved were not disclosed.
The turbines were installed without the necessary permission, and the NAACP's accusation centers on that lack of authorization. The Clean Air Act is a U.S. law that regulates air emissions. The new power plant may be intended to address the same energy needs as the turbines, though it is unclear whether it will replace them or operate alongside them.
For now, the unpermitted turbines are expected to remain in operation for up to a year, drawing continued scrutiny from the NAACP and others concerned about environmental compliance.