MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Calls to prevent Elon Musk’s xAI project from moving forward in Memphis are intensifying.

Friday, city leaders joined Representative Justin J. Pearson and the community in their continuous calls against the xAI project.

It’s happening as the community awaits the Shelby County Health Department’s decision on grants for gas turbines in the Boxtown neighborhood of southwest Memphis.

Pearson is demanding answers from its director, Dr. Michelle Taylor, as well as Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who has previously shown support for the project.

“His absence, his silence, in the face of pressing issues of our community, including the xAI plant, is not just. It’s not fair. It’s immoral,” Pearson said. “Director Taylor sits on the board on air pollution here. The local implementation plan gives her the power to go to xAI right now and tell them to stop polluting. Right now.”

Local leaders say air pollution is a years-long problem that’s caused the community to suffer.

“It’s not just southwest Memphis. All of us are suffering,” said KeShaun Pearson with Memphis Community Against Pollution. “All of us will continue to suffer if this deliberate abdication of responsibility continues. It is perpetual, and it has been a legacy that has allowed this cumulative pollution to continue to poison us.”

Monday, Pearson and others will send a letter to Taylor and Harris to demand clean air. They say it’s a part of their ongoing fight to protect Memphis and Shelby County.

WREG reached out to Mayor Harris’ office for comment, but we have not heard back yet.

The Health Department released a statement, saying in part, “The Shelby County Health Department is currently reviewing the air permit application submitted by xAI for a synthetic minor source under the state regulations and the Clean Air Act.”

It went on to say it’s considering the community’s input before it makes a decision.