Proposed Jefferson County crypto mining facility on hold
MCLOUTH, Kan. (KSNT) – A push to bring a crypto mining operation to Jefferson County is on hold for the foreseeable future after a last minute change of ownership.
Crypto Colo Center, an oil and gas company based just outside of McLouth in Jefferson County, had proposed opening a crypto mining facility on the property. Jefferson County Community Development Director Dustin Parks tells 27 News that ownership of the property changed hands on Monday, just hours before the issue was set to go before the county planning commission. Parks says the new owner then withdrew consideration of the crypto-mining proposal from Monday’s agenda.
Northern Lights in Kansas may be visible to some tonight
Parks says Jefferson County will not consider any similar proposals for at least a year.
“The Board of County Commissioners has issued a moratorium on accepting applications for data centers and crypto mining facilities in Jefferson County for at least the next 12 months to review potential regulatory requirements,” Parks said.
CEO of the Crypto Colo Center, Max Smetannikov, tells a different story. In an email to 27 News, he claims that there was no change of ownership, and that the company has not withdrawn its application with the county.
“There was no change in ownership with our firm and we certainly have not withdrawn our CUP application with Jefferson County. We hope that any misconceptions surrounding our business will soon be cleared up and for the happy and harmonious development of our business in Our McLouth community.”
Max Smetannikov – CEO, Crypto Colo Center Inc.
Parks says the Jefferson County Planning Commission and the Jefferson County Commission will not consider the application. He says that there are currently no plans for further discussion.
Click here for more local news
The proposal received criticism from residents and environmentalists.
“It is good news that the project owner decided to withdraw the application for a crypto mining operation. The County Commission has made the right decision to issue a moratorium on accepting applications for data centers and crypto mining facilities in Jefferson County for at least the next 12 months. This success belongs to the hundreds of citizens who spoke out against this project. We will be ready to support community opposition to this ill-advised plan if it comes up again.”
Statement by Elaine Giessel, Chair of the Sierra Club’s Kansas Chapter
