SpaceX to Keep Unpermitted Gas Turbines at Colossus Data Center Until 2027
The company will maintain temporary power infrastructure in Mississippi amid legal battles over air pollution.
SpaceX has announced it will not fully remove the unpermitted gas turbines powering xAI's Colossus data centers until July 2027. The decision keeps temporary power infrastructure active in Mississippi while the company transitions to a permanent energy solution.
Currently, SpaceX is operating 69 gas turbines to support the facility. These units are located in Mississippi near the Tennessee border, a region already characterized by high pollution levels. These turbines have the potential to emit more than 2,000 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) per year. To replace this temporary setup, SpaceX is developing a permanent 1.2 gigawatt natural gas power plant consisting of 41 turbines with capacities ranging from 16.48 MW to 50 MW.
The AI Energy Crunch
The deployment of these turbines stems from the massive electricity requirements of xAI's Colossus supercomputer. To meet this demand rapidly, temporary gas turbines were installed, leading to significant legal friction. SpaceX, which acquired xAI in February 2026, is now managing the fallout and the transition to permanent infrastructure. The project has faced lawsuits from the NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center, which allege that the unpermitted pollution disproportionately impacts predominantly Black communities in Mississippi.
Regulatory Precedents
This conflict underscores the growing tension between the urgent energy needs of the AI arms race and established environmental regulations. The situation is further complicated by the Department of Justice's decision to side with SpaceX, citing reasons of national, economic, and energy security. This move suggests a potential shift in precedent where the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is prioritized over local environmental laws and public health concerns.
Future Outlook
Observers are now watching whether the July 2027 deadline for the removal of the unpermitted turbines will be met or if further extensions will be sought. While the permanent plant is the stated goal, the ongoing legal battles with civil rights and environmental groups remain a primary point of contention as the facility continues to operate in a high-pollution corridor.