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Commission requests public status update from TVA and MLGW on XAI turbines after residents' health concerns
Summary
After extensive public testimony from neighborhood residents, the commission passed a resolution asking TVA and Memphis Light, Gas & Water for a public update on remaining steps needed to connect the XAI data center to local utility service and end temporary gas-turbine use.
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution asking Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) to appear in a public forum and give a status update on the remaining steps and timetable needed to end temporary gas-turbine power at the XAI / Colossus data center in Southwest Memphis.
The vote followed intense public testimony from residents and students who said unpermitted methane-fired turbines at the facility are worsening local air quality and harming public health. Multiple speakers asked the commission to demand a public, in-person update rather than an email reply.
Commissioner Eric Sugarman, a co-sponsor, framed the request as a transparency measure and said the resolution should be heard publicly. The commission amended the request during debate to explicitly require a public forum and then approved the resolution.
Residents described respiratory and environmental concerns and pressed for deadlines. Madeline Stowe, who attended multiple hearings on the project, warned commissioners that the data center’s rapid scale-up could dramatically increase power demand and emissions: “Who’s monitoring this? Who, is XAI compliant to? Why are these turbines continuing to run?” she asked.
Why it matters: The XAI/Colossus site in South Memphis has drawn national attention because of the company’s rapid buildout and questions about temporary gas-turbine usage, permitting and the potential scale of long-term electricity demand. Residents said the turbines are operating without adequate oversight and asked for immediate public accountability from the utilities that must provide or approve power connections.
What’s next: The resolution asks TVA and MLGW to provide a public status update to the commission. Commissioners said they want the utilities and other stakeholders in a public meeting so residents can hear timetables and ask questions directly.
