Elon Musk faces strong pushback from Memphis residents over his 'digital delta' factory

Tesla CEO Elon Musk turned an abandoned factory in Memphis into an AI powerhouse last month, and just 30 days into its operations, residents have been complaining of air pollution.

The factory, named ‘Colossus’ by Musk, is the “most powerful AI training system in the world” and is being handled by his artificial intelligence company, xAI. “This is just the beginning," the company said on its website as it already has plans to build a second facility in Memphis.

AI demands vast amounts of energy, and Musk’s company has set up numerous gas-powered turbines, which emit a mix of harmful pollutants. Despite this, the company is operating without air permits, seemingly exploiting a loophole meant for temporary turbine use.

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However, environmental organisations argue that this exemption is not applicable, and local residents have expressed strong opposition.

Health of residents compromised

People in Boxtown, which houses an economically disadvantaged community in south Memphis, have already been battling with poor air quality. With the establishment of Musk’s facility, dubbed the “Digital Delta”, residents are up against the world’s richest man as their health comes at stake.

“Our health was never considered, the safety of our communities was never, ever considered,” said Sarah Gladney, a resident of the town who suffers from a lung condition, told CNN.

Memphis natives do not have the support of their mayor, who views the facility as an economic opportunity for the city.

Mayor Paul Young said, “What we are looking at is an opportunity to completely transform our economy.”

How is the facility polluting the air?

Gas-powered turbines emit various pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, a major contributor to ozone pollution, commonly known as smog. Exposure to this type of pollution can trigger asthma attacks and chest discomfort, and over time, it has been associated with reduced lung function and an increased risk of premature death.

This is a major concern for an area already burdened by severe air pollution. A ProPublica analysis found that the cancer risk from industrial emissions in southwest Memphis is 4.1 times greater than what the EPA considers acceptable.

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Additionally, Shelby County has received an “F” grade for ozone pollution from the American Lung Association and reports the highest rate of childhood asthma hospitalisations in Tennessee.