MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Community members in the South Memphis community are preparing to take action against Elon Musk’s Supercomputer.

This comes after a report that suggests the company could be breaking federal law over the use of methane gas turbines.

But for the first time, we’re hearing from city leaders who said it’s not what you think.

Standing before a crowd of hundreds of people at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, State Representative Justin J. Pearson called on other elected officials to take action against Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer.

“Why is it we got to march? Why is it we got to protest,” Pearson asked. “Why we got to do that when we got people in positions of power who’s supposed to do their jobs?”

Saturday’s town hall comes after a report by a coalition of environmental groups found that xAI is allegedly running more than double the number of gas turbines than it had applied for.

The report claims a permit had been filed for xAI to bring in only 15 turbines, but through the use of aerial photos, the group saw 35 methane gas turbines on the South Memphis site.

“Protecting air quality is the job. Protecting water quality. That’s the job,” Pearson said. “If you don’t want to do the job, resign.”

WREG caught up with Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who was speaking at a community forum across town at the same time as the town hall led by Pearson.

Mayor Young confirmed his office knew about the additional turbines, but he said there’s more to the story.

“I’ve talked to the xAI leadership team,” Young said. “There are 35, but there are only 15 that are on. The other ones are stored on the site.”

He said that according to xAI leadership, the turbines are not being used and are not connected.

While addressing an audience, Mayor Young said xAI started using the turbines in September of last year and legally, he said they have one year to operate them without a permit.

He said the company is funding and building two substations adjacent to xAI.

He added that the company filed for the permits in January because they weren’t sure if the substation construction would be complete before the one year is up.

“So, they filed for the permits and the first substation has been completed,” Young said. “They’re looking to bring that online over the next month, and they’re working to get the second one completed before September. If not, that’s why they need the permit.”

Pearson has been very vocal about the environmental concerns regarding the facility and the lack of transparency from xAI.

Saturday morning, he said he is ready to take action.

“If you are interested in going to protest at the Shelby County Health Department or Mayor Lee Harris’ office in Downtown, raise your hand,” Pearson said.

The Shelby County Health Department is hosting an official public comment meeting scheduled for April 25 at Fairley High School.