Bitcoin mining in Niagara Falls is going “brrr” in all the wrong ways
The noise pollution from bitcoin mining in Niagara Falls has led city hall to order two large operations to shut down until they take measures to reduce the sound of cooling fans – but only one has complied so far.
Locals complain of a constant “haunting hum” from Blockfusion and US Bitcoin, which set up shop in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Residents used to enjoy the steady roar of the famous waterfall, but say they can no longer hear it over the bitcoin mining noise .
“It sounds like a 747 jet,” resident Frank Peller told reporters. The 70-year-old live over a mile away from US Bitcoin. “It is highest in the morning, at night, and if there is high humidity and breeze.”
Despite drastic measures to block it, such as wearing headphones, locals felt they had no choice but to seek legal action.
Even Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino agrees that bitcoin mining is too much: “The noise pollution of this industry is like nothing else that’s been there,” he said.
A flood of complaints left City Hall with no choice but to do so declare a moratorium on new mining activity at the end of last year, forcing US Bitcoin and Blockfusion to halt operations until strict noise limits are met.
Read more: Place your bets: How many bitcoin miners will survive the winter?
Bitcoin mining in Niagara Falls faces legal action
Both companies say they are cooperating with the restrictions, but only Blockfusion has scaled back its bitcoin mining operations in Niagara Falls, AFP reports. US Bitcoin is still running at full capacity, but says it has erected a plastic barrier.
“We also conducted acoustic studies and had plans drawn up for a larger noise reduction wall” that was unable to be built because of the moratorium, the company said.
However, residents are determined to hold the outfits accountable. “I’m going to protest until the buzz is gone, basically, until I get the roar of the waterfall back because that’s what I used to hear,” a local journalist told me (our emphasis).
Further legal action is being considered against bitcoin mining in Niagara Falls. “Right now we are working with our attorneys as well as with our residents to make sure we have our documents in place so that if they continue to refuse to comply with our order to stop, then we will have to be in court,” the mayor said Restaino to France24 in a video interview.
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