Southaven residents have filed a class-action lawsuit against Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, and its subsidiary, MZX Tech. The suit, filed Tuesday in federal court, alleges that the company’s use of mobile gas-powered turbines has caused significant noise and disturbances.
According to the lawsuit, residents have experienced “near-constant noise, vibrations, and other nuisance-level harms” since mid-2022. They claim these conditions have negatively impacted their quality of life and property values. The residents’ attorney said the noise issues persist despite the company’s efforts to build a sound barrier.
The lawsuit is the latest challenge faced by xAI. Earlier this year, the NAACP, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, filed a suit alleging that xAI’s operation of turbines violates federal clean air regulations. The suit contends that the company’s use of temporary turbines without proper permits breaches the Clean Air Act, even though Mississippi allows such turbines to operate for up to a year without a permit.
The number of turbines at the site has increased from 18 last year to 47 as of May, according to residents. The turbines are part of xAI’s efforts to power its data centers, which initially involved converting a vacant power plant in Southaven. The company announced plans for a $20 billion investment to develop a data center in Mississippi.
The lawsuit comes as xAI’s parent company, SpaceX, is preparing for a public offering expected on June 12, with an estimated valuation of $1.8 trillion.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
