The Greenidge Bitcoin mine—which has been operating in Dresden, New York since 2020—has become infamous for its controversial existence. Tucson local residents have expressed their opposition, deeming the noise produced by the facility not just a nuisance, but a serious interference with their lifestyle. Ellen Campbell, a Seneca Lake homeowner, described the emotional toll taken by the constant racket caused by the salt mine. “We didn’t sign up for the nonstop drone,” she said. The fracking noise is so widespread that it has completely muted the sound of nearby waterfalls, increasing residents’ frustration even more.
The arcane Bitcoin mining industry has exploded across the United States. This rapid growth poses monumental challenges to growing communities such as Dresden. Lori Fishline, another resident, compared the noise to “the sound of a 747 jet or as grating as having a toothache 24 hours a day.” The mine’s dramatic and ceaseless hype has driven many community members to directly oppose the mine. Activists such as Abi Buddington are at the forefront of this uprising against new operations they feel threaten their community.
The Greenidge power plant converted from coal to gas just prior to launching its Bitcoin mining operation. This change is indicative of a broader trend of the U.S. ascending as a leader in Bitcoin production. The country now mines roughly 40% of the global Bitcoin supply. To date, it has set up more than 137 of these mining facilities in 21 states. And make no mistake, in 2021 alone, the Bitcoin mining industry’s energy consumption doubled. According to the most conservative market-driven projections, mining activities will consume almost 160 Terawatt hours of electricity by 2024, a staggering increase from a mere 55 Terawatt hours in 2019.
The conflict over Bitcoin mining isn’t unique to Dresden. Nationally, resistance to such facilities has led to moratoriums on new mining operations in some areas, most recently, Niagara Falls. This backlash cuts against the Biden administration’s attempts to embrace a more pro-cryptocurrency agenda. Perhaps most significantly, this agenda has been pushed by the most notable of all populists, former President Donald Trump. In June 2024, Trump articulated his vision for America to become the “crypto-mining capital of the world,” announcing that “we want all the remaining Bitcoin to be made in the USA.”
Further, the rapid expansion of cryptocurrency mining operations has ignited public debate about their environmental and energy use impacts. Local leaders have been rightly alarmed at the impact these operations have had on their communities. Colin Read, a local official, noted that when companies faced strict energy regulations, they would often relocate to areas with fewer restrictions: “When we told these companies they couldn’t have more power without going through hoops, they packed up and went to a community where they didn’t have such strict requirements.”
Homeowners such as Campbell tell the press about their frustration over how this invasion has disrupted their tranquil residential enclave. “If I sit out by the lake, I would rather not hear that,” she lamented. The sentiment is echoed by Robert Restaino, who remarked, “The noise pollution of this industry is like nothing else.” Such statements are indicative of a larger realization among area residents that these industrial enterprises are drastically impacting their quality of life.
Buddington stressed that the community’s climate has changed in the wake of these changes. “The climate changed, both environmentally as well as in our quiet little community,” she stated. This change has led to increased tensions among residents, some of whom are politically conservative yet still share concerns about environmental degradation.
For one thing, supporters of Bitcoin mining frequently trumpet its economic promise. On the ground, local voices like Ms. Roberson vehemently oppose the notion that these operations are a net positive for their towns. “When you’re in my backyard, when you’re in my town, trying to wreck our property and our peace, people will tell you, it’s a hard ‘no’,” she asserted.
As a result, the future is still far from clear for communities who are dealing with the harmful effects of Bitcoin mining. More residents come together to fight back against what they see as aggressive industrial incursion, the industry comes under renewed scrutiny. Howard Lutnick, an industry figure, addressed concerns regarding energy consumption and local opposition: “These stories about ‘You’re taking too much power and now the cost of operating my refrigerator is higher’.” His comments bring some hope that the industry is at least recognizing the long brewing outrage of communities on the receiving end of these impacts.