MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The talks of a second new xAI data center in Whitehaven have Memphians questioning whether it will affect the environment.

Water pollution and poor air quality are a couple of concerns from the community as they express their opposition to the new data facility.

“All of us need to come together, you know, as a unit and as a community and stop this,” said Mona Lisa employee at Magic Wings and Things.

Companies emphasize there will be technological advances, but residents are not buying in. 

“When a project this size comes into any city, there’s supposed to be public notice. And none of that was given from the state, local and federal level,” said Advocate Pamela Moses of Rise Up America. “TVA is federal, people need to remember that TVA is federal, TVA’s federal.”

“Elon Musk is DOGE that’s federal direct conflict of interest. And there needs to be more information given about this because it’s going to be some catastrophic effects to not just Memphis but the whole southern part that’s going to be either affected by the water in the air,” said Moses.

The Greater Memphis Chamber announced the nearly $80 million project Friday.

It will be located in the 5400 block of Tulane Road, the site sits right down the street from an elementary school. 

“I’m concerned a whole lot because I have family in this community, and I don’t want my child to get sick out of nothing to happen to my kids,” said Lisa.

Lisa said that she believes that Memphis does not need the center out here.

MLGW says xAI requested a system impact study for 260 megawatts, and any request over 5 megawatts must be reviewed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. xAI also requested gas from MLGW. MLGW would not say how long the study would take.

A meeting is scheduled on March 17 and 18 about the data center at the county commission.

Moses said that the Shelby County Commission is over the Shelby County Health Department; they can deny the permit to xAI with the environmental hazards.

“So, we’re asking everybody from the community, Boxtown USA is leading this and they’re going to be coming and they are going to want to be heard and they’re going to want to speak about how they had no involvement in it,” said Moses.

With no wastewater infrastructure nearby, people still question who will supply water energy to keep processors at the facility cool.

MLGW did not say what the requirements would be if this proposal were to be approved.

TVA said they are committed to working with xAI and MLGW and are involved in the discussions for the expansion of xAI.

“The TVA Board of Directors would need to review and approve any new load that exceeds 100 MW to ensure reliability of the power system can be maintained,” a spokesperson said in an email.