TLDR
- Granbury inhabitants have taken legal measures against Marathon Digital for the relentless noise caused by Bitcoin mining.
- The lawsuit highlights severe health concerns and diminishing quality of life for those living nearby.
- Locals are seeing their utility bills rise sharply while property values seem to be on a downtrend.
- The legal challenge is pushing for a definitive stop to the excessive noise created by these operations.
- Texas emerged as a top player in the crypto mining world following the ban by China in 2021.
Marathon Digital A leading name in cryptocurrency mining is under legal fire from Granbury locals over claims of persistent noise pollution from their Bitcoin extraction activities.
This legal complaint was submitted at the Texas State Court of Hood County, detailing how the noise from the mining site has negatively affected residents' health and daily routines. Earthjustice, a nonprofit championing environmental causes, represents the aggrieved residents, with reports indicating over two dozen suffering from ailments such as permanent hearing damage, severe migraines, ear ringing, and intense dizziness.
The constant drone and rattling from these crypto sites have turned once serene homes into places residents sometimes describe as a 'jail cell.'
Beyond the health implications, the lawsuit points to economic burdens impacting the locals, with some seeing an uptick of $100 to $200 monthly in power costs.
The community is also grappling with plunging property values, largely due to the ceaseless noise and commotion from the mining plant.
The legal filing is asking for an unending injunction to compel Marathon Digital to halt any undue noise from its activities.
It also requests any extra measures the court considers necessary to uphold residents' rights and improve their quality of life.
Rodrigo Cantú, a senior advocate with Earthjustice,
highlighted the dire situation, remarking: 'Homes no longer feel safe or comforting. It's crucial that Marathon cuts back its overwhelming noise output immediately.'
This legal complaint follows numerous grievances submitted by locals to authorities, including those to the Hood County Constable and Sheriff's Office, spanning November 2023 to March 2024.
Past attempts to curb the noise, such as erecting a 24-foot sound barrier, reportedly fell short. Inhabitants argue that existing regulations aren't stringent, with sound breaches assessed at only $500.
Marathon Digital previously indicated they'd appointed an independent firm for a sound review and were committed to looking further into the matter. Yet, those efforts don't seem to have appeased the worried locals.
Since its commission in 2022, the Granbury mining location has exchanged hands several times, initially run by Compute North Holdings, then transitioning to U.S. Bitcoin Corp., later to Hut 8 Mining Corp., and eventually landing with Marathon Digital Holdings in early 2024.
Amidst this legal tussle, Texas has seen its status as a haven for crypto mining operations soar. Following China's 2021 crypto mining prohibition, Texas quickly drew numerous miners thanks to its low electricity prices and favorable regulations.
By the spring of 2023, Texas hosted five of the United States' top ten Bitcoin mining sites, including the enormous Riot facility situated in Rockdale.
However, the swift spurt in crypto mining in the state has prompted alarms about its consequences on the power grid, soaring electricity rates for residents, and now, the added health threats tied to mining activities.
This case against Marathon Digital throws a spotlight on the mounting conflict between the surge of the crypto sector and the welfare of local communities.
As the proceedings unfold, the outcomes may dictate future approaches to similar clashes between mining companies and local residents.
Editor-in-Chief at Blockonomi and the visionary behind Kooc Media, a UK-based online enterprise. A staunch supporter of open-source software, blockchain advancements, and a free internet for everyone.
