Mississippi residents launch class action against xAI and SpaceX over data centre noise
A federal lawsuit in Oxford alleges that excessive noise and vibrations from a gas-fired power plant, backed by Governor Tate Reeves, have created a public nuisance for thousands of residents.
Three residents in Mississippi have filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court in Oxford against Elon Musk’s xAI, its subsidiary MZX Tech, and SpaceX. The plaintiffs allege that a gas-fired power plant in Southaven, which supplies energy to nearby data centres, generates excessive noise and vibrations that constitute a public nuisance. The case, made public on Tuesday, represents a class of more than 10,000 members and seeks damages for health impacts and reduced property values, alongside the disgorgement of unspecified profits.
The lawsuit claims that the disturbance has caused significant emotional distress and eroded the quality of life for local residents. Robert Wiygul, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, described the noise as “omnipresent and inescapable,” arguing that it invades the fundamental peace of homes. The filing states that the artificial intelligence boom is subjecting thousands of Americans to near-constant noise and vibrations, with the companies accused of negligently failing to curb the disturbance.
The Southaven plant, which uses gas-fired turbines to power data centres in and around the city, was developed with an investment of more than $20 billion by xAI. The project proceeded with the support of Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. Elon Musk is not named as a defendant in the suit, although his companies are the primary targets of the legal action. SpaceX and xAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
This legal challenge occurs against a backdrop of growing scrutiny over the environmental and social impacts of artificial intelligence infrastructure across the United States. The NAACP previously filed a separate lawsuit against xAI in April, alleging violations of US environmental rules regarding the same plant. That case remains pending, with the US Department of Justice signalling last month that it may intervene, citing broader legal and policy questions regarding the government’s role in AI infrastructure.
The Oxford filing highlights the tension between rapid technological expansion and local governance, as communities seek to mitigate the externalities of large-scale data centre operations. While the NAACP’s case focuses on regulatory compliance, this class action centres on the immediate nuisance and health effects experienced by residents, potentially setting a precedent for how local authorities and corporations manage the infrastructural footprint of the AI sector.
