Mississippi Approves Permit for 41 Gas Turbines at xAI Data Center

Activists criticize state agency for scheduling public hearing on Election Day

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has approved the construction of 41 gas turbines at xAI's data center in Southaven, Mississippi, despite criticism from local activists and the NAACP over the timing of the public hearing on Election Day.

Why it matters

The decision to approve the gas turbines has raised concerns among environmental and civil rights groups about the impact on local communities, as well as accusations that the state is prioritizing the interests of the tech company over public health and civic engagement.

The details

The MDEQ hearing, which drew pushback from the NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), approved xAI's permit to build 41 gas turbines at its Southaven data center. Critics argued the hearing was scheduled on Mississippi's Election Day, making it difficult for impacted residents to attend and voice their concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts.

  • The MDEQ hearing took place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, which was Mississippi's Election Day.
  • The MDEQ announced its decision to approve the permit for the 41 gas turbines at the hearing.

The players

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)

The state agency responsible for regulating environmental issues, including approving the permit for xAI's gas turbines.

NAACP

The civil rights organization that criticized the MDEQ for scheduling the public hearing on Election Day, arguing it would silence frontline communities.

Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)

The environmental law organization that also criticized the MDEQ's decision, stating it failed to adequately address the concerns of local families about the impact of the gas turbines.

xAI

The technology company that received approval from the MDEQ to construct 41 gas turbines at its data center in Southaven, Mississippi.

Abre' Conner

The Director of Environmental and Climate Justice at the NAACP, who expressed outrage over the MDEQ's decision to hold the hearing on Election Day.

Patrick Anderson

A senior attorney at the SELC who criticized the MDEQ's decision to greenlight the permit, stating it failed to address the significant concerns about the impact on local communities.

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What they’re saying

“We are outraged that, despite the community's clear demand to move the Election Day hearing, MDEQ chose to bulldoze through a decision that silenced the very residents most harmed by it.”

— Abre' Conner, Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, NAACP (localmemphis.com)

“We're extremely disappointed in MDEQ's decision to greenlight this inadequate permit for xAI's power plant, which fails to address the significant concerns about the impact of these added turbines will have on communities in North Mississippi as well as South Memphis.”

— Patrick Anderson, Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center (localmemphis.com)

What’s next

The NAACP and SELC have indicated they will continue to fight the MDEQ's decision and hold xAI accountable for the potential environmental and health impacts of the gas turbines on local communities.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the ongoing tensions between economic development, environmental protection, and civic engagement, as well as the challenges faced by frontline communities in influencing decisions that directly impact their neighborhoods.