xAI Moves to Buy Out Southaven Residents Who Agree Not to Sue over Plant Noise

xAI, through its subsidiary MZX Tech, has mailed undated letters offering to buy Southaven homes in exchange for releases that would bar residents from joining or pursuing a class-action lawsuit over constant noise and vibrations from a nearby energy plant. The June complaint, brought by three named plaintiffs and claiming more than 10,000 class members, accuses the plant of producing high-pitched squeals, continuous engine roaring, low-frequency rumbling and tonal humming that disrupt sleep, diminish enjoyment of property and depress home values. Residents say buyout offers are being calculated from online appraisal listings such as Zillow; the letters require an initial real estate contract and a final release that extinguishes any claims related to the suit.

The Southaven plant supplies gas-fired turbines that power xAI’s data centers and Grok supercomputer; state records show 69 unpermitted turbines at the site as of July 31. Separate litigation includes an NAACP Clean Air Act suit seeking an injunction over unpermitted operations, to which the federal government intervened on national-security grounds on behalf of xAI. Attorneys for the plaintiffs declined to comment because the litigation is active, and xAI did not respond to requests for comment by press time.