Crypto Clash: Texas Residents Sue Marathon Digital Over ‘Unbearable’ Bitcoin Mining Noise
A group of more than two dozen residents from Granbury, Texas, has filed a lawsuit against Marathon Digital Holdings, a major crypto miner firm, citing the excessive noise and vibrations from its local Bitcoin mining facility.
A group of residents in Hood County, Texas, has filed a lawsuit against Marathon digital, a cryptocurrency mining company, alleging that the persistent noise from its operations has caused significant disruptions to their daily lives and resulted in severe health impacts. The lawsuit, led by Earthjustice on behalf of the Citizens Concerned About Wolf Hollow, demands that Marathon either mitigate the noise pollution or shut down its operations altogether.
The mining facility, located near the residents' homes, uses Proof-of-Work cryptocurrency mining, a process that involves tens of thousands of computers operating continuously to solve complex algorithms. The noise from the cooling fans of the mining machines has become a major issue for the local community, with residents reporting fatigue, hearing loss, and headaches. The constant roaring from the cooling fans, which run 24/7, has created a persistent hum that has become a major source of stress and discomfort for the residents.
The lawsuit claims that the noise pollution has interfered with the residents' ability to enjoy their homes, with vibrations and constant roaring from the cooling fans disrupting their daily activities. The residents are seeking measures to shut down the mining facility or drastically reduce the noise pollution, and are demanding compensation for damages, including higher electricity bills and decreased property values. The lawsuit also highlights the impact on the local environment, with the noise pollution affecting the quality of life for both humans and animals.
Earthjustice's senior attorney, Rodrigo Cantú, emphasized that the noise pollution from the mining process harms residents' physical and mental health and is also detrimental to the surrounding environment. "Persistent exposure to this noise is detrimental for human health, animals, and the environment," Cantú said. "Residents' homes are no longer the refuge that they should be. Marathon must take immediate action to effectively mitigate their noise pollution or shut down operations altogether."
The residents are not alone in their concerns. Granbury resident Cheryl Shadden shared her experience, explaining that the 24/7 mining activities have also driven up local electricity bills. "In such a short time, Bitcoin mining has completely altered our community, for the worse," Shadden said. "The around-the-clock mining isn't just driving up our electricity bills — it's costing us our health." Shadden also expressed her frustration with the lack of action from Marathon, stating, "We feel trapped. day and night, we are subjected to relentless noise that is physically harming us. We aren't asking for much — just for Marathon to take responsibility and restore our peace and well-being."
The lawsuit highlights the urgent need for solutions, with residents seeking immediate action to address the noise pollution. The plaintiffs are seeking a permanent injunction against the mining facility to prevent further noise disturbances and compensation for damages. The lawsuit is a stark reminder of the need for responsible and sustainable practices in the cryptocurrency mining industry, particularly in areas where residents are directly affected by the operations.
As the lawsuit continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Marathon Digital will take immediate action to mitigate the noise pollution or shut down its operations altogether. However, one thing is clear: the residents of Hood County will not rest until their health and well-being are protected and their community is restored to its former peaceful state.
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