MEMPHIS, TN – The Greater Memphis Chamber commends the Shelby County Health Department for approving the construction permit for xAI’s fifteen permanent natural gas turbines, which will serve as a secondary emergency backup power source for their Memphis facility. This decision, made possible by Memphis’ renowned business-friendly regulatory environment, represents a significant advancement in environmentally responsible infrastructure development in the Digital Delta.

“This approval demonstrates Shelby County’s commitment to evidence-based decision-making that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship,” said Ted Townsend, President & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber. “We’re pleased that our Shelby County Health Department has thoroughly evaluated the scientific data and recognized the exceptional environmental standards of these turbines.”

The approved turbines feature state-of-the-art Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology that dramatically reduces emissions to levels far below EPA requirements:

  • Nitrogen oxide emissions are limited to just 2 parts per million (ppm), which is 92% lower than the EPA’s threshold for stationary gas turbine emissions
  • Carbon monoxide emissions are controlled to 2.5 ppm
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, are limited to 2 ppm

“It’s unfortunate that some have chosen to spread misinformation about this project rather than engaging with the actual environmental data,” added Townsend. “The facts speak for themselves – these turbines utilize technology that exceeds federal environmental standards by a substantial margin, making them among the cleanest backup power solutions available.

This SCR technology functions similarly to catalytic converters in automobiles, significantly reducing harmful emissions. These fifteen permanent units will serve only as a secondary backup to xAI’s primary emergency power source—their advanced battery pack system.

“xAI continues to demonstrate their commitment to Memphis through investments in cutting-edge, environmentally responsible technology,” added Townsend. “This project aligns perfectly with our vision of sustainable economic development that creates prosperity while protecting our community’s natural resources.”

This approval follows xAI’s earlier announcement of an $80 million investment in the Colossus Water Recycling Plant, which will conserve an estimated 4.745 billion gallons of Memphis Aquifer water annually through innovative wastewater recycling technology – another example of how Memphis’ business-friendly climate encourages companies to make transformative investments that benefit both their operations and our community.

Approved Construction Permit Application

About The Greater Memphis Chamber 

One of Memphis’ oldest institutions, dating back to 1838, the Greater Memphis Chamber is a privately funded nonprofit that serves as the region’s lead economic development organization and the “Voice of Memphis Business” on local, state, and national issues. The Chamber’s mission is to drive the Memphis business agenda for Greater Memphis. We do this by relentlessly pursuing prosperity for all — through economic and workforce development, pro-growth advocacy, and by providing support and resources to its investors, which include many of the region’s largest employers.