Bitrabo Editorial
More than 25 residents in Granbury, Texas, have filed a lawsuit against Marathon Digital Holdings, a prominent cryptocurrency mining company, over disruptive noise and vibrations emanating from its Bitcoin mining operation nearby.
The local residents argue that the mining facility has severely interrupted their daily routines, leading to considerable health problems such as exhaustion, hearing difficulties, and persistent headaches.
Lawsuit Overview
The lawsuit, initiated in Hood County Court, asserts that the ongoing noise from the facility hinders the residents’ enjoyment of their homes, exacerbated by the constant noise from the cooling fans of the mining equipment, which runs incessantly.
Rodrigo Cantú, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, pointed out that the noise associated with proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining is harmful not only to residents’ physical and mental health but also poses risks to the local ecosystem.
Cryptocurrency mining, specifically Bitcoin mining, relies on a heavy energy-consuming process known as proof-of-work, which engages thousands of computers to solve complex mathematical problems continuously.
In this case, the noise from the cooling systems essential for the mining gear’s operations has become a pressing concern for the local population.
Marathon Digital’s mining operations are located at the Wolf Hollow gas plant, a facility with a capacity of 1,115 megawatts near Granbury. Cheryl Shadden, a Granbury resident, recounted her experience, explaining that the continuous mining activities have increased local electricity costs. Shadden expressed:
Bitcoin mining has rapidly transformed our community for the worse. The nonstop operations are not only inflating our electricity bills — they’re harming our health as well.
Urgent Calls for Action
The lawsuit underscores the critical need for solutions, urging actions to either shut down the mining operation or greatly lessen the noise pollution. Shadden articulated:
We feel trapped. The incessant noise day and night is affecting our well-being. We just want Marathon to take accountability and help us regain our peace.
Representing the Citizens Concerned About Wolf Hollow, Earthjustice is requesting that Marathon Digital either alleviate the noise issues or cease its operations entirely.
Rodrigo Cantú, part of the Earthjustice legal team, remarked:
Continuous exposure to this noise is harmful to people, pets, and the environment. The residents’ homes have lost their sanctity. Marathon needs to act promptly to mitigate the noise or suspend their operations entirely.
The plaintiffs are also pursuing a permanent court order to halt further noise disruptions along with compensation for damages incurred, including inflated electricity costs and diminished property values.
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