外媒：美国新规堵住漏洞 xAI数据中心扩张遇阻

Core Viewpoint - The recent update by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibits Elon Musk's xAI from using natural gas turbines in its Memphis data center, impacting its operational plans and expansion efforts [1][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The updated regulations require companies to obtain permits under the Clean Air Act to operate such turbines, closing a loophole that xAI previously exploited [3]. - The new rules specify that these turbines cannot be classified as non-road engines, which previously allowed xAI to bypass air pollution emission permits [3]. Group 2: Environmental Impact - Research from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, indicated that xAI's use of natural gas turbines last year contributed to increased air pollution in the local area [3]. - Local authorities had previously allowed xAI to classify the turbines as non-road engines, avoiding public consultation and environmental impact assessments [3]. Group 3: Company Operations and Funding - xAI's Memphis data center is set to be operational in 2024, supporting its Grok model and applications, including a chatbot integrated with the social platform X [4]. - Despite commitments to use advanced pollution control technologies, reports indicate that the turbines installed do not have such controls [4]. - xAI has raised $20 billion from investors like NVIDIA and Cisco, but faces investigations due to content generated by its Grok and X applications that may promote violence and explicit material [4].