A social media post does not convey the normalization of inhumane treatment that certain zip codes of Memphis has been subjected to. In February, I aided in bring national attention to Memphis’ ongoing pollution issue. Our city leaders decided to allow Elon Musk to place his SuperComputer in Memphis despite the community’s pushback. To fully comprehend the predicament, one must understand that Memphis has a history of being “prey” for the industrial sector. Memphis has 66 facilities that release toxic pollution, half of them are located in South Memphis. As a result, the cancer rate in South Memphis 4 times the national average, the area suffers from severe respiratory issues, the average life span is 10 years shorter compared to the rest of the city. The citizens have filed class action lawsuits against major polluters for the effects that have been seen after the proximity of their companies conducting business by their residences. South Memphis is the most polluted area in Memphis, but other areas have felt the burden of rapid industry such as Shelby county being number one county in TN for pollution, terrible air quality, increased cancer rates, and respiratory issues. Memphis as a whole cannot “afford” more pollution. To make things more personal, as a child I grew up in Raleigh , the neighborhood was in close proximity to Douglass (both apart of North Memphis ). I recall sitting at the kitchen table connected to a breathing machine, while doing my homework. Those are the stories that aren’t told! No child should have to endure that.

Potential Ramifications of xAI’s Placement in Memphis

Elon Musk's xAI supercomputer facility in Memphis faces significant environmental concerns, including potential air and water pollution, and strain on the city's infrastructure, particularly the power grid and water supply, raising community concerns about health and environmental justice. 

Here's a breakdown of the potential harms:

1. Air Pollution:

• Gas Turbines:

  xAI plans to use gas turbines to power its supercomputer, which could lead to increased emissions of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and exacerbate existing smog problems in the area, which already struggles with poor air quality. 

• Lack of Permits:

  Local environmental groups and community members have raised concerns that xAI may not have the necessary permits to operate these turbines, potentially leading to unregulated emissions. 

• Health Impacts:

  Exposure to NOx can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, causing coughing, shortness of breath, and other respiratory problems. 

• Community Concerns:

  South Memphis, where the facility is located, is already burdened by legacy pollution from a coal power plant and other industrial sources, making it an area of particular concern. 

• 2. Water Pollution and Strain:

  • High Water Demand:

    xAI's supercomputer will require massive amounts of water for cooling, potentially straining the city's water supply, which relies on groundwater pumped from the Memphis Sand Aquifer. 

  • Contamination Concerns:

    The xAI facility's location near a contaminated well raises concerns that increased water usage could draw contaminants into the drinking water supply. 

  • Gray Water Systems:

    Local environmental groups are pushing for xAI to use treated wastewater (gray water) for cooling, rather than using clean fresh water, but there are concerns about xAI's commitment to this approach. 

  3. Strain on Infrastructure:

  • Power Grid Demand:

    The supercomputer's high energy consumption will place a significant strain on the city's power grid, potentially leading to outages and higher electricity costs for residents. 

  • Lack of Transparency:

    Concerns about transparency have emerged, with reports suggesting that Memphis officials signed non-disclosure agreements with xAI, and local health and utility officials were seemingly caught off guard by xAI's plans to double in size.