Residents Sue Marathon Digital Over Noise Pollution
Residents of Granbury, Texas, have filed a lawsuit against Marathon Digital, a Bitcoin Mining company operating in the area, citing noise pollution as the primary concern. The Legal action, submitted to a Hood County court on October 4, has gathered over two dozen residents as plaintiffs. They claim that the noise levels emanating from Marathon’s mining facility have caused significant disturbances and discomfort.
Physical and Psychological Effects on Residents
The lawsuit underscores that the residents have experienced a range of physical and psychological effects due to the noise and vibrations from the mining operation. These effects include headaches, fatigue, hearing loss, migraines, tinnitus, and exacerbated pre-existing health conditions like high blood pressure. The continuous noise has infiltrated their homes, interfering with daily life and property enjoyment.
- Residents endure physical and psychological effects like headaches, fatigue, and hearing loss.
- Pre-existing health conditions, including high blood pressure, have worsened.
- Noise pollution disrupts daily life and property enjoyment.
Legal Battle and Demands from Plaintiffs
Represented by Rodrigo Cantú from Earthjustice, the plaintiffs are seeking a court order to address the noise pollution issue or potentially shut down Marathon Digital’s facility. Cantú stressed the need for immediate action to mitigate noise pollution. As of now, Marathon Digital has not commented on the lawsuit.
The residents are also pushing for a permanent injunction to stop the unreasonable noise from the facility. Additionally, they seek compensation for damages and legal costs incurred due to the noise pollution.
Marathon Digital’s Operations and Previous History
Marathon Digital took over the lease of the Granbury Bitcoin mine in January 2023, previously managed by Hut 8 Corp. The site, with 250,000 mining rigs, contributes a substantial hashrate to Marathon’s operations. Residents noticed an increase in noise levels following the change in management, suggesting a correlation.
- Marathon Digital operates 250,000 Bitcoin mining rigs at the Granbury site.
- Residents reported increased noise levels after the change in management in 2023.
- The Granbury site has a hashrate of 4.3 ExaHashs per second (EH/s).
Legal Precedents and Conclusion
This legal battle echoes a similar case in Hadsel, Norway, where residents successfully shut down a local Bitcoin mine due to noise complaints. In a separate incident in Texas, a jury acquitted Marathon Digital’s site manager of noise violations linked to their mining operations near Granbury. The case highlighted the challenges of balancing Crypto Mining activities with community well-being.
In conclusion, the residents of Granbury are standing up against Marathon Digital, seeking relief from the disruptive noise pollution caused by the mining operations. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how mining companies address environmental and community concerns moving forward.
