Musk plans $24 billion AI supercomputer powered by gas in SpaceX's Texas stronghold
SpaceX has announced plans for a massive gas-fired computing facility in Starbase, Texas, a city where the company already operates its Starship program, potentially sidestepping local opposition.
Locating a data center within a company town may reduce regulatory hurdles and community pushback. Starbase, Texas—home to SpaceX's Starship rocket operations—has announced a public hearing for a gas-powered electricity generation plant and supercomputing complex to be built inside city limits. The undertaking carries a $24 billion price tag and will reportedly be controlled by SpaceX, according to Bloomberg. The initiative could encounter opposition from incoming Texas governor Gina Hinojosa, who ran on a platform opposing new data center approvals until the state legislature establishes stronger safeguards addressing potential harms from such facilities.
Elon Musk's SpaceXSI has previously been developing Colossus I and Colossus II data centers in the region straddling Mississippi and Tennessee. Those earlier projects have drawn criticism and legal action from nearby residents seeking to limit emissions from the numerous gas turbines needed to supply power to the installations.