Marathon Digital sued for bitcoin mining noise in Texas, residents seek injunction

Crypto mining giant Marathon Digital has been sued by residents of Granbury, Texas, over noise pollution that locals claim is harming their health and disrupting their daily lives.

A group of Grabury community members have sued Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc., claiming the mining giant’s Bitcoin mine is causing “serious health and quality of life impacts” for those living nearby. filed a lawsuit against him in the Texas District Court, Hood County.

At least two dozen residents faced serious health problems including permanent hearing loss, debilitating migraines, tinnitus and severe dizziness, according to Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm that represents concerned citizens.

Additionally, the lawsuit highlights growing concerns in the community about rising electricity costs, with some reporting an increase in their bills of $100 to $200 per month.

Beyond the financial strain, residents are also facing a sharp decline in property values ​​as the incessant noise and vibrations from the cryptomine shake their homes, turning their peaceful retreat into a “prison.”

The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to force Marathon to stop creating or allowing unreasonable noise in its operations. It also requests any measures the court deems appropriate to protect the rights and welfare of the community.

“Settlers’ homes are no longer the shelter they once were. Rodrigo Cantú, a senior lawyer at Earthjustice, said Marathon must take immediate action to reduce its overwhelming noise pollution.

The lawsuit follows multiple noise complaints filed by residents from November 2023 to March 2024 to local authorities, such as the Hood County Constable and Sheriff’s Office.

As previously reported by crypto.news, attempts to reduce noise, including the construction of a 24-foot sound barrier, have been inadequate. Residents argued that local regulations were inadequate and that noise violations did not result in fines of more than $500.

At the time, Marathon said it had hired a third party to conduct a robust study and promised to do more research.

A crypto mining hub

Cryptocurrency mining, notorious for the constant noise from thousands of powerful machines and cooling fans, has found a major hub in Texas. After China banned crypto mining in 2021, Texas quickly became one of the most preferred destinations due to cheap electricity prices and regulatory incentives.

As of April 2023, the state was home to five of the ten largest Bitcoin mining facilities in the US, including the massive Riot facility in Rockdale. However, the explosive growth of crypto mining has raised concerns about its impact on the state’s power grid, rising electricity costs for residents, and now increasing reports of health problems.

The Granbury mine site has changed hands many times since its founding in 2022. He started with Compute North Holdings, then moved on to US Bitcoin Corp. and then Hut 8 Mining Corp., before finally turning over the keys to Marathon Digital Holdings, which took over in early 2024.