How a Pro-Crypto Presidency Threatens Vulnerable Communities Across the United States
by Yvonne Taylor, Seneca Lake Guardian and the National Coalition Against Cryptomining*
Seneca Lake, in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Pete Stergion, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
We’re often told that new technologies will power us through eras of progress and prosperity. At a time when technological innovation is taking the world by storm, it’s easy to get swept up in the hype, believing that every invention is "the next best thing," just because it can do something we never thought possible.
That's exactly how cryptocurrency was sold to us when it burst into public consciousness back in 2009. At first, Bitcoin was introduced as a harmless innovation that promised to revolutionize American finance and reimagine our approach to fiscal independence.
But the process of “mining” cryptocurrency has proven to be anything but harmless. Despite most Americans not using crypto in their daily lives, the small number who do, backed by a crypto-crazed presidential administration, are fueling a boom that is leaving behind a sizable carbon trail and direct impacts on vulnerable communities across the country.
“Proof-of-work” cryptomining, the most common form of cryptomining, is an extremely energy-intensive operation that currently accounts for 2.3 percent of the nation’s total energy consumption. These cryptomines operate with one goal: running computers around the clock to generate digitized coins. And the climate impact is massive. Cryptomining emits up to 130 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually—on par with the emissions of entire countries—driven by its enormous energy consumption, often from fossil fuels.
Behind this shift to crypto lies another very real cost. Fueled by an increasingly pro-crypto administration and widespread federal reforms designed to validate the industry, cryptominers have become more powerful than ever. Financial incentives like the recently enacted GENIUS and CLARITY Acts have opened the door for more cryptomining across the country, enabling these companies to target small towns in rural America as ideal spots to set up shop—with no regard for the broader, long-term implications.
This is exactly what my community in the Finger Lakes region of New York State was coerced into, when Greenidge Generation reopened a previously shuttered, coal-fired power plant (converted to gas-fired) to begin powering its Bitcoin mining operation in 2019.
Not only are the Finger Lakes my home, but they’re home to thousands of families who had no idea how cryptomining would change their lives, and their homes, beyond belief. Known for its unparalleled lakes and vineyards, life in the Finger Lakes turned upside down when Greenidge pivoted to cryptomining, using the old plant nestled in Dresden, New York. Now, my community is forced to live with the incessant, high-pitched sound of high-powered fans that contribute nothing but pollution to our air and waterways.
This summer marks three years since the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) denied Greenidge Generation its Title V air permit, citing failure to comply with the State’s climate law. But three years later, the facility continues to operate under expired permits. It’s outrageous that Greenidge has been able to deploy delay tactics and tie up the state’s decision in lawsuits, all while forcing our community to keep dealing with its emissions, disruptions, and lack of accountability.
At the time Greenidge came to the Finger Lakes, I didn’t even know what Bitcoin was. Now, I know all too well. Greenidge has caused irreversible damage to the beautiful region my family has called home for years, threatening our natural ecosystems.
If my work as a founding member of the National Coalition Against Cryptomining (NCAC)—a grassroots movement leading the charge to educate policymakers, mobilize communities, and demand action against this unchecked industry—has taught me anything, it’s that sadly, New York is not alone. The cryptomining industry is spreading like wildfire across the nation, devastating communities in its wake.
Water Consumption and Contamination
While much of the public controversy surrounding cryptomining has focused on its staggering energy consumption, the crypto industry's impact on our water is just as alarming. Across the country, cryptomining facilities are quietly depleting and contaminating our water sources. Part of the process involves generating massive amounts of heat, which requires constant cooling to prevent the technology from overheating.
Unbeknownst to most, this water cooling process utilizes large amounts of fresh water from nearby waterways—only to discard it back in at alarmingly high temperatures that are bound to harm surrounding wildlife. The result? Thermal pollution, aquatic ecosystem disruption, and irreparable harm to local freshwater supplies that communities depend on for drinking, farming, and recreation.
For example, for years, Greenidge has managed to get away with egregious misuse of our water supply. Their permit allows them to withdraw up to 139 million gallons of water from Seneca Lake daily to cool its Bitcoin mining servers. Once used, the water is dumped back into the lake, at temperatures as high as 108 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 86 degrees in winter, far surpassing the lake’s natural temperatures. This practice is more than just a display of greed from Greenidge. It reflects blatant disregard for repercussions of this misuse of Seneca Lake’s natural resources.
It’s impossible to ignore the devastating impact of the facility. The heated waters prompt harmful algae blooms, rendering the lake unsafe for the 100,000 residents who rely on it as their primary water source for drinking and swimming. This information isn’t widely enforced or publicized, either. If unsuspecting parents were to allow their children to play in the lake, they would unknowingly expose them to health risks like skin and eye irritation, nausea, and neurological effects such as tingling and numbness. Depending on the algal species, exposure to excessive algae growth can even cause death.
And it goes beyond algae. Just earlier this summer, a few residents and I saw what looked like a hazardous waste spill that caused a yellowish sheen on the lake. Days later, the DEC confirmed that Greenidge was to blame—a mixture of oil and water had spilled from the former plant. Again, in yet another blatant disregard for our safety and environment, no action was taken against Greenidge.
Residents in nearby Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania have been fighting similar issues. Community members have described a smell of burning rubber constantly lingering in the air—a direct result of Bitfarms’ (formerly Stronghold Digital Mining) Panther Creek facility burning tires to produce the power needed to operate the mine. This has released 366 pounds of mercury into nearby waterways. And now, thanks to a decision by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that has permitted Panther Creek to continue burning tires, the area is bracing for further contamination of its water with mercury, arsenic, and other dangerous chemicals.
Draining Our Power and Our Pockets
Equally terrifying is cryptomining’s assault on energy and electrical grids. The process requires large amounts of power, translating into high electricity demand that threatens the stability of grids. This surge in power misuse has strained local infrastructure, leading to increased energy costs for residents and a heightened risk of blackouts during peak demand periods.
In Navarro County, Texas, a cryptomine backed by Riot Platforms is expected to require an energy capacity of up to 1 gigawatt, enough to power thousands of homes. The arrival of a major cryptomining operation in the area will exponentially increase electricity demand in the area, placing added pressure on the local grid, which has already faced enormous challenges to keep up with demand, raising concerns among residents about energy reliability.
Navarro County, Texas cryptomine protest. Used with permission. Photo by Brittany Hallberg.
Noise Pollution
Though noise is a recognized public health hazard, cryptomines often operate with absolutely no noise control. For communities already lacking resources to challenge these operations, the burden of persistent noise becomes yet another unaddressed health risk.
It’s one of the many reasons why communities in North Carolina are committed to the anti-crypto fight. One of our coalition leaders, Cyndie Roberson, was forced to move away from her dream home in North Carolina’s Cherokee County three years ago as a result of the significant stress and sense of injustice stemming from Primeblock’s cryptomine, formerly ANKR Mining Solutions.
While she wasn’t greatly impacted by the noise, residents have shared experiences of cryptomines running at 85 decibels, far exceeding recommended limits and creating constant stress and disruption in their daily lives. Others in the broader Appalachian region have expressed similar grievances. In Limestone, Tennessee, residents have equated the sounds of a cryptomine to a “jet engine”.
The absence of appropriate and enforced regulation of cryptomine plants is leading to a range of health, social, and economic impacts to those in their vicinity. People should not be forced to leave behind their homes and lives as a result of this industry’s practices, including health-harming noise. Good governance would ensure that residents can remain safely in their homes and communities, not become threatened by new and largely unregulated bad corporate neighbors.
What comes next?
Now and in the years ahead, we must come together to stop cryptomines from operating without regard for the communities they disrupt. To protect our health and environment, we need clear rules about where and how these facilities can operate. This includes efforts to increase transparency, implement stricter zoning laws, enforce noise ordinances, and require environmental impact assessments before cryptomining operations are allowed to move in. On a local level, this requires a widespread educational effort that enables folks to understand the harms of cryptomining and hold their elected officials accountable for acting on them.
That’s why groups like NCAC exist. From experts who have written books about cryptomining, to community organizers, to high-powered lawyers, we are all united by a single mission: protect current and future generations from the destructive impacts of cryptomining.
Since our founding, NCAC has led the fight against some of the largest crypto organizations and developments across 21 states. One of our recent victories was halting a cryptomine proposed by Digihost X in Hildebran, North Carolina, about which the mayor had been completely unaware. Through coordinated advocacy, legal pressure, and public education, the coalition helped stop the project before it was able to break ground. If you’re concerned about the impact of cryptomining in your community and need support, consider joining us.
Yvonne Taylor, Seneca Lake Guardian, A Waterkeeper Affiliate, and National Coalition Against Cryptomining. Photo provided by the author.
*Yvonne Taylor is a founding member of Seneca Lake Guardian, a grassroots organization in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of New York. Yvonne also co-founded the National Coalition Against Cryptomining (NCAC).