Local officials and residents at odds
The controversy has divided Memphis.
Mayor Paul Young has been a long-time supporter of Musk’s project. Speaking at a public forum after the news broke, Young said xAI wasn’t running all of the gas turbines. “There are 35, but there are only 15 that are on,” Young told WREG News. “The other ones are stored on the site.”
He added that xAI has a pending application with the Shelby County Health Department to operate 15 of the turbines officially. But that hasn’t satisfied concerned residents.
Meanwhile, the health department is preparing for its first public hearing on the issue, scheduled for Friday. Local officials will listen to residents, environmental lawyers, and company representatives at that hearing.