Mississippi Regulators Uphold SpaceXAI Air Permit for Southaven Data Center, Rejecting Environmental Appeal
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has rejected an appeal challenging an air permit granted to SpaceXAI for its data center power plant in Southaven. The permit, initially issued in March, authorizes SpaceXAI to operate 41 methane gas turbines to supply power to its Colossus 2 data center located in Memphis, just across the state line. Environmental activist groups filed an appeal a month after the permit was granted, citing concerns over harmful emissions from the turbines and significant community opposition. Following a two-day evidentiary hearing in Jackson, where experts from all involved parties presented arguments, the MDEQ Permit Board dismissed the appeal. The board concluded that there was "insufficient evidence" to substantiate the claims made by the environmental groups, thereby allowing SpaceXAI to continue with its plans to operate the gas turbines in Southaven. This decision upholds the original air permit for the facility.
