Written By JR Robinson CEO of JustMy

The recent controversy over Elon Musk’s xAI data center in Memphis has exposed a dangerous false dichotomy: that we must choose between economic growth and the health of our communities. This is a myth. We can—and must—have both. The technology to protect our air while supporting job growth already exists. The only thing missing is the political will to demand its immediate implementation.

The Problem: Uncontrolled Pollution in Our Backyard

xAI’s data center, powered by up to 35 gas turbines, is operating without the emission controls required by law for facilities of this size and impact. These turbines emit hazardous pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and formaldehyde, into neighborhoods that already suffer from some of Tennessee’s highest rates of asthma and respiratory illness. The company has exploited a regulatory loophole, claiming the turbines are “temporary” and thus exempt from permitting and pollution controls—a claim environmental experts and former EPA officials have flatly rejected.

The result? Memphis residents, especially in vulnerable communities like Boxtown, are left to bear the health risks while xAI profits and city officials scramble to catch up.

The Solution: Proven Technology—Ready to Deploy

Let’s be clear: there is no technical barrier to cleaning up these turbines. The following solutions are industry standard and widely used across the United States:

• Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR): This technology reduces NOx emissions by over 90%, converting them into harmless nitrogen and water. It is a proven, effective retrofit for gas turbines and is required in many jurisdictions for similar facilities.
• Catalytic Oxidizers: These systems eliminate formaldehyde and other toxic volatile organic compounds from turbine exhaust, protecting public health.
• Dry Low NOx (DLN) Combustion: Modern turbine designs can be retrofitted or replaced with DLN systems, drastically reducing emissions at the source.
• Continuous Emissions Monitoring: Real-time monitoring ensures compliance and transparency, making it impossible to hide pollution from the public.

These technologies are not experimental. They are required by law for similar facilities in other states, and many data centers have installed them before ever switching on their turbines.

This Is Not Anti-Jobs—It’s Pro-Growth, Pro-Community, and Pro-Memphis

Let’s be perfectly clear: This article is not anti-jobs. In fact, we are calling for Memphis to seize this moment and become a national leader—not just in logistics and distribution, but in technology and artificial intelligence as well. With the right safety measures and environmental protections in place, our City Leaders, Chambers of Commerce, and County Officials should be rolling out the red carpet for high-tech investment and innovation.

Memphis has already proven we can be the Distribution Hub of America. Now, let’s set our sights even higher. Let’s become the Tech and AI Hub of the country—a city where cutting-edge companies want to invest, grow, and create thousands of good-paying jobs.

But we must do it the right way. Protecting our communities and our environment is not a barrier to growth—it’s the foundation for sustainable, long-term prosperity. When companies see that Memphis values both economic opportunity and public health, they’ll know this is a place where businesses and families can thrive together.

We welcome the jobs, the investment, and the future that tech and AI can bring. Let’s get all the business we can from this new era, but let’s protect our people first. That’s how Memphis wins—today and for generations to come.

Why Are We Not Demanding This?

The answer is a failure of process and accountability. City and county officials were left out of the loop until after the deal was done, and the health department was not engaged early enough to ensure environmental protections were in place. xAI’s representatives have stated they will only install pollution controls after their permit applications are approved—delaying what should have been a precondition for operation.

This backwards approach violates the Clean Air Act and puts Memphis residents at unnecessary risk. It also sets a dangerous precedent: that big companies can move fast, cut corners, and ask for forgiveness later, rather than doing the right thing from the start.

A Call to Action: Four Weeks for Clean Air

We call on Shelby County officials, the Memphis City Council, and the Shelby County Health Department to take immediate, decisive action:

• Mandate that all gas turbines at the xAI facility be equipped with SCR and catalytic oxidizers within four weeks.
• Require continuous emissions monitoring and public reporting for all pollutants.
• Suspend operations at the facility if these controls are not fully installed and operational within the deadline.

This is not an unreasonable demand—it is the minimum standard for protecting public health and upholding the law. If xAI cannot operate responsibly, it should not operate at all.

We Can Grow Jobs and Protect Our Health

Memphis deserves economic growth that lifts everyone up, not just the bottom line of a tech giant. By enforcing real environmental standards, we can create jobs in clean technology, safeguard our children’s health, and set a national example for responsible development.

What we are doing now is a false dichotomy. The technology exists. The law is clear. The health of our citizens is not negotiable. Let’s demand better—starting today.

“We deserve to breathe clean air. It seems like we are constantly at battle.”
— Boxtown resident Sarah Gladney

Memphis, let’s end this battle. The solution is here. It’s time for our leaders to act.