Residents File Lawsuit Against Marathon Digital for Noise Pollution
Residents of Granbury, Texas, have taken legal action against Marathon Digital, accusing the Bitcoin mining company of causing significant noise disturbances from its local facility. The lawsuit, filed in Hood County court on October 4, includes over two dozen residents who claim that incessant noise levels have created substantial disturbances, affecting their quality of life.
Impact of Noise on Residents’ Health
The legal complaint points out that the noise generated by Marathon’s Bitcoin mining operations has resulted in a persistent “nuisance” for nearby residents, leading to considerable discomfort. Many residents report a range of adverse physical and psychological effects stemming from the continuous noise and vibrations. Complaints include headaches, fatigue, migraines, tinnitus, and even worsening conditions such as high blood pressure. The document indicates that residents can hear and feel the vibrations in their homes, severely disrupting their daily lives and enjoyment of their surroundings.
Concerns Over Increased Costs and Property Values
In addition to health issues, the residents have expressed concerns about the economic impact of the mining operations. They claim that the facility’s high energy consumption has resulted in increased electricity bills and has negatively affected property values in the area. This combination of financial and health-related issues has prompted the residents to seek legal recourse against Marathon Digital.
Legal Representation and Demands
The residents are represented by Rodrigo Cantú, a senior attorney from the environmental law firm Earthjustice. Cantú emphasized that his clients are calling for “immediate action” to alleviate the noise pollution or, alternatively, the total shutdown of the facility. The plaintiffs are also aiming for a permanent injunction to prevent the continuation of what they describe as “unreasonable noise,” alongside seeking compensation for damages and legal fees.
History and Management Changes at the Granbury Bitcoin Mine
The Granbury Bitcoin mine has a complicated history, initially built in April 2022 by Compute North Holdings. It underwent several management changes before Marathon Digital assumed control in January 2023 after being managed by rival miner Hut 8 Corp until late April. Residents assert that noise levels became disturbingly noticeable around spring 2023, suggesting a possible link to the management change and increased operations under Marathon Digital.
Marathon Digital’s Mining Operations
As of July 2023, Marathon Digital’s earnings report revealed that the company operates 250,000 Bitcoin mining rigs. While the exact number of rigs at the Granbury site has not been disclosed, it has been reported to contribute a hashrate of 4.3 ExaHashs per second (EH/s). This significant operational scale raises further concerns among residents regarding the ongoing noise and energy consumption.
Comparative Cases and Legal Proceedings
This legal battle reflects a growing trend of community pushback against Bitcoin mining operations globally. A notable precedent was set in 2022 when residents in Hadsel, Norway, successfully campaigned to shut down a local Bitcoin mine due to similar noise complaints. Additionally, in a related incident, a Texas jury acquitted Marathon Digital’s site manager, David Fischer, of 12 noise violations associated with mining operations near Granbury. This case involved claims that the site emitted noise levels that could pose health risks to the local community, but Fischer was cleared of all charges after a jury trial.