Articles tagged with "emissions"
xAI is facing a lawsuit for operating over 400 MW of gas turbines without permits
xAI’s Colossus data center near Memphis is facing a lawsuit from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), acting on behalf of the NAACP, for operating over 400 megawatts of natural gas turbines without the required preconstruction or operating air pollution permits. SELC alleges that xAI installed and ran at least 35 combustion turbines over the past year without regulatory approval, violating the Clean Air Act. These turbines have the potential to emit over 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) annually, pollutants that contribute to smog and exacerbate respiratory issues. Memphis already struggles with poor air quality and high asthma rates, making the unpermitted emissions a significant public health concern. Despite local health authorities initially claiming the turbines were exempt from permitting, SELC’s investigation—including aerial and thermal imaging—confirmed extensive turbine operation without proper permits or pollution controls. Although some turbines have been removed recently, around 26 remain operational, maintaining a generating capacity near 407 megawat
energygas-turbinesair-pollutionClean-Air-Actnatural-gasemissionsdata-center-energy-useThe EPA Wants to Roll Back Emissions Controls on Power Plants
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed rolling back emissions standards for power plants, which are the second-largest source of CO2 emissions in the country. This move comes shortly after NOAA reported record-high seasonal CO2 concentrations. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin criticized previous administrations for prioritizing environmental regulations over economic growth, emphasizing the agency’s intention to support domestic fossil fuel industries, including coal, which has been in decline due to competition from natural gas and renewables. The proposed rollbacks would weaken Biden-era rules that required coal- and gas-fired power plants to reduce emissions by 90% by the early 2030s, primarily through carbon capture and storage technology. The EPA’s justification for the rollbacks includes the argument that US power sector emissions represent a small fraction (3%) of global emissions, and that continued coal use abroad diminishes the impact of US regulations on global greenhouse gas levels. However, critics highlight that the US power sector remains a major domestic polluter, ranking second only
energyEPApower-plantsemissionscarbon-capturefossil-fuelsclimate-policyAviation Professionals Call For A New Flight Plan On Emissions
energyemissionsaviationclimate-changesustainable-aviation-fuelscarbon-footprintfossil-fuelsNew Data On Fossil Fuel Industry Emissions Could Play Pivotal Role In Climate Litigation
energyclimate-changefossil-fuelsemissionscarbon-footprintsustainabilityclimate-litigationPorts, Fuels, & Emissions: How Trump’s Tariffs Are Reshaping Maritime Trade
energyemissionsmaritime-tradefuel-consumptionclimate-changeshipping-routesalternative-power