MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The xAI debate is heating up over just how safe the computer company Elon Musk has built in South Memphis.
A lot of people are upset over the growing number of turbines sitting at the xAI facility in South Memphis.
“We will continue to do our work as an environmental health team, and if there are health concerns to be shared, we will share them,” said Dr. Michelle Taylor, Director of the Shelby County Health Department.
“Director Taylor should do her job and serve the people of Memphis and stop trying to put this off on any and everybody else,” said TN Rep. Justin J. Pearson.
In a town hall meeting Saturday, State Representative Justin Pearson again claimed that what is happening at xAI is destroying the community.
“It is not unreasonable to demand that xAI follow our local air rules and regulations,” said Pearson.
At the same time, on Saturday, Mayor Paul Young addressed the xAI controversy.
He says he knows there are significant environmental concerns and their goal is to make sure they work through those concerns.
Mayor Young said he talked to the xAI team and there are 35 turbines at the facility. Only 15 are being used.
Mayor Young is also being called out for how he handled the entire xAI issue, and Dr. Taylor sent him a letter about the lack of transparency.
“Other jurisdictions who do this type of development work really will often engage their health departments on the front end,” said Dr. Taylor.
The Health Department is now gathering comments from the public on xAI and will hold a community meeting on April 25 to hear from the public and let them know if there is reason to worry.
The meeting on xAI will be held at Fairley High School at 5 p.m.