Courtroom erupts in cheers after Bitcoin facility rejected from opening in community
“Bitcoin mining is not welcome in Washington County.”
Not in my backyard
A courtroom in Washington County, Tennessee, erupted in applause after county commissioners rejected a proposal to build a Bitcoin mining facility in the area.
Bitcoin miner Red Dog Technologies already operated a 25-megawatt Bitcoin mine in Limestone, Tennessee since the end of 2020, but the county has tried to have it close due to violations of the zoning plan, News channel 11 reports. A settlement proposal to build a replacement mine in an industrial park in Telford, Tennessee, a small community of less than 1,000 residents, has drawn a lot of opposition.
The city council quickly assembled a committee to fight the deal — and was able to kill the proposal by a 13-2 vote on Monday, to the apparent relief of residents.
Think about the children
Plans to have what critics said would be a noisy Bitcoin mining facility built in their backyard proved extremely unpopular with residents.
Telford resident Emily Curran spoke during a recent public comment period, according to News channel 11and told an audience of more than 100 people that commissioners should “stand up for my family, my children and all those who would be affected by a Bitcoin mining operation near the school.”
Her comments were met with applause and cheers, according to the report.
“People in the New Salem community (Limestone) and people in Telford are united on this one issue: that Bitcoin mining is not welcome in Washington County,” Pastor Craig Ponder, who lives near the existing mining site, told the channel.
Noise and pollution
Bitcoin mining remains a hugely energy-intensive process that can also generate a significant amount of noise.
Other Bitcoin mining companies have gone so far as to revive dying coal plants, generating huge amounts of CO2 emissions.
In Telford, the settlement is now on its way to court where a jury will decide the case. It is still unclear whether Red Dog will be allowed to continue operating its existing facility while the lawsuit is pending, according to News channel 11.
“I am disappointed that after months of good faith negotiations with Washington County leaders, a resolution was not reached,” Red Dog CEO Trey Kelly told the broadcaster. “As litigation resumes, Red Dog Technologies and GRIID Infrastructure will have no further comment at this time.”
READ MORE: “See you in court” – Washington County strongly rejects settlement in Bitcoin mining case [News Channel 11]
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