Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
South Memphis residents demand full public process and health safeguards over XAI site plans
Summary
Residents of Box Town and neighboring South Memphis raised health and environmental concerns about reported gas-turbine activity tied to an XAI project, demanded meaningful public hearings and a role in planning, and pressed the county Health Department for monitoring and potential enforcement.
During the Core City Neighborhoods and Housing committee, residents and local advocates raised urgent objections to a company identified in the agenda as XAI and to reported operations involving gas turbines. Keyshawn Pearson of Memphis Community Against Pollution said the company had applied for a permit and “They have submitted a permit to our Shelby County health department for 15 yet they are using over double that amount with no permit,” and called for immediate enforcement and a public forum where the community can question the developers.
Multiple speakers described long-running air-quality and health problems in ZIP code 38109 (Box Town and nearby neighborhoods), urged a community benefits agreement and asked the commission and Health Department to require a formal, visible public hearing and to ensure the presence of company representatives. Commissioners and public health staff said the Health Department planned a public meeting (April 25) and the county later accepted an EPA grant to install a real-time air-monitoring station in 38109; the department said the station's instruments and enclosure would be procured and installed rapidly to meet grant timing.
