Crypto Clash: Texas Town Takes on Bitcoin Mining Giant

TLDR

• Marathon Digital sued by Granbury, Texas residents over Bitcoin mining noise
• Lawsuit claims serious health issues and quality of life impacts for nearby residents
• Residents report increased electricity costs and decreased property values
• Lawsuit seeks permanent injunction to stop unreasonable noise from operations
• Texas has become a major crypto mining hub since China’s 2021 ban

Marathon Digital, a prominent cryptocurrency mining company, is facing legal action from residents of Granbury, Texas, due to alleged noise pollution from its Bitcoin mining operations.

The lawsuit, filed in the Texas State Court, Hood County, claims that the noise from the mining facility is causing significant health problems and disrupting the daily lives of local community members.

The nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice, representing the concerned citizens, reports that at least two dozen locals have experienced serious health issues. These problems include permanent hearing loss, debilitating migraines, tinnitus, and severe vertigo.

The constant noise and vibrations from the crypto mining operation have transformed once-peaceful homes into what some residents describe as a “prison.”

In addition to health concerns, the lawsuit highlights financial strains on the community. Some residents report increases of $100 to $200 per month in their electricity bills.

Property values in the area have also reportedly suffered a sharp decline due to the relentless noise and vibrations from the mining facility.

The legal action seeks a permanent injunction to force Marathon Digital to cease creating or allowing unreasonable noise from its operations.

It also requests any additional relief the court deems appropriate to protect the rights and well-being of the community.

Rodrigo Cantú, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating,

“Residents’ homes are no longer the refuge they once were. Marathon must take immediate action to reduce their overwhelming noise pollution.”

The lawsuit follows multiple noise complaints filed by residents with local authorities, including the Hood County Constable and Sheriff’s Office, from November 2023 through March 2024.

Previous attempts to mitigate the noise, such as the construction of a 24-foot sound barrier, have reportedly been ineffective. Residents argue that local regulations are inadequate, with noise violations resulting in fines of only $500.

Marathon Digital had previously stated that it commissioned a third-party sound study and committed to further investigation of the issue. However, it appears that these efforts have not satisfied the concerns of the affected residents.

The Granbury mining site has changed ownership several times since its establishment in 2022. It was initially operated by Compute North Holdings before passing to U.S. Bitcoin Corp., then Hut 8 Mining Corp., and finally to Marathon Digital Holdings in early 2024.

This legal challenge comes at a time when Texas has become a major hub for cryptocurrency mining operations. The state’s rise as a preferred location for miners began after China banned crypto mining in 2021. Texas quickly attracted mining companies with its cheap electricity rates and favorable regulatory environment.

By April 2023, Texas was home to five of the ten largest Bitcoin mining facilities in the United States, including the massive Riot facility in Rockdale.

However, the rapid growth of crypto mining in the state has raised concerns about its impact on the power grid, rising electricity costs for residents, and now, increasing reports of health issues related to mining operations.

The lawsuit against Marathon Digital highlights the growing tension between the cryptocurrency industry’s expansion and the well-being of local communities.

As the case progresses, it may set a precedent for how similar disputes between mining operations and residents are handled in the future.