MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – This morning, environmental and social justice leaders gathered downtown ahead of a vote for Shelby County Commissioners to request health department officials to host a public meeting before approving a turbine operation permit to power xAI’s supercomputer inside the former Electrolux building in South Memphis.
Organizers with the Memphis Community Against Pollution say they’re worried about the impact to air quality in the area.
They met with Mayor Paul Young two weeks ago to share their concerns.
Earlier this morning, we heard from leaders of the organization demanding a pause on the permitting process before a public hearing takes place with the community.
“We don’t believe that denying the community the right to a Democratic process is something that our public institutions should be facilitating. Our demand, this is not a request, is that this comes to fruition. So we have not entertained the idea that this will not move forward,” said KeShaun Pearson, President of Memphis Community Against Pollution.
The group believes the Chamber of Commerce and xAI overlooked and ignored the concerns of community members in 38109 by not involving residents in the decision-making process.
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