Federal Judge Denies SpaceXAI Request to Dismiss NAACP Lawsuit Over Air Quality

A federal judge in Mississippi has denied a motion by SpaceXAI to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the NAACP. The legal action concerns the company's use of gas-fired combustion turbines at its Colossus data centers and a power plant in Southaven.

The lawsuit, filed in April 2026, alleges that the company operated 27 turbines between August and December 2025 without obtaining the necessary air permits. Plaintiffs claim these operations release particulate matter and smog-forming pollutants that threaten the health of nearby residents.

In its defense, SpaceXAI argued that the turbines should be classified as mobile sources, which would exempt them from certain permitting requirements. The company also challenged the NAACP's standing to sue under the Clean Air Act.

The presiding judge rejected these arguments, confirming that the plaintiffs have the legal standing to proceed. The court also determined that the turbines do not qualify as mobile sources under state regulations.

This ruling follows a previous decision by the same court to deny a request from the Department of Justice to terminate the case. SpaceX has not provided a comment regarding the latest court development.