Fierce Controversy Surrounding Elon Musk's Data Centers and Environmental Pollution
Unauthorized turbines operating at the xAI data center
In the latest legal battle, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI faces allegations of emissions pollution at its data center located in Memphis. According to the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), xAI installed and operated at least 35 fossil fuel-burning turbines without the proper permits, negatively impacting the local community. While awaiting the completion of the electrical grid connection, these turbines contributed to increased concentrations of harmful gases in the air. These actions are accused of violating the Clean Air Act, raising significant concerns about environmental impact.
Threat to the community and local environment
The Colossus data center is located in the South Memphis area, near Boxtown, where the population is primarily Black and suffers from poor air quality due to industrial activity. The NAACP highlighted this situation as a clear example of environmental discrimination, threatening public health and ecological racism. The organization is prepared to sue to protect the rights of residents here, seeking court orders for penalties and remediation of environmental damages.
Response from xAI and authorities
SELC has repeatedly contacted local authorities to push for action, but has yet to achieve clear results. Chief Counsel Patrick Anderson confirmed that they were forced to turn to legal measures to compel xAI to comply with emission laws. Meanwhile, the government has not yet responded officially to these allegations. Despite facing significant opposition, Elon Musk plans to develop a second large data center project named Colossus 2 in Memphis, requiring 1 gigawatt of energy – a sign of his ambition to expand in the AI sector.
Surge in demand for data centers
Amid the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, global demand for data centers is soaring. According to the U.S. Energy Department, energy consumption by data centers is expected to double or even triple by 2028. Research firm McKinsey estimates that global investments in this sector need to reach $6.7 trillion by 2030 to meet the strong demand for digitalization.
Environmental impact and future prospects
The boom in the cryptocurrency and AI industries means robust growth for data centers, leading to significant pressure on energy consumption and emissions. Tech companies, including xAI, increasingly face the challenge of balancing expansion ambitions with environmental protection responsibilities. Despite grand plans, the use of sustainable energy sources and low-emission technology will increasingly become the deciding factor for success in the long-term game of the cryptocurrency and AI industries.
Source: https://tintucbitcoin.com/elon-musk-bitcoin-doi-mat-kien-bi-mat/
Thank you for reading this article!
Please Like, Comment, and Follow TinTucBitcoin to always stay updated with the latest news on the cryptocurrency market and not miss any important information!
