Bitcoin Mining Firm’s Tire Burning Plan Gets Flak From Environmental Groups

A Bitcoin mining firm has come underneath fireplace for searching for approval to make the most of tire-derived gas to energy its crypto mining operations in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania. The contentious determination has set environmental advocacy teams and the corporate on opposing fronts, highlighting the continued pressure between technological developments and sustainability efforts.

Stronghold Digital Mining, a Pennsylvania-based cryptocurrency mining firm, has ruffled feathers by submitting an utility with the Pennsylvania Division of Environmental Safety to make use of tire-sourced gas for its Bitcoin mining knowledge heart. 

Whereas the corporate cites the USA Environmental Safety Company’s (EPA) endorsement of comparable power sources in different industrial settings, environmental teams stay skeptical of the environmental affect and the precedent it might set.

Envi Teams: No To Bitcoin Mining Firm Allow

The Clear Air Council, a distinguished non-profit group devoted to preserving air high quality and public well being, has issued a compelling call to action in opposition to Stronghold’s proposal.

Collaborating with environmental legislation group Earthjustice and advocacy group PennFuture, the Clear Air Council calls for that state regulators deny Stronghold’s allow request. 

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We’re calling on state regulators and DEP with @earthjustice @pennfuture to disclaim a allowing request from Stronghold Digital Mining to burn tires as gas for its bitcoin mining operations.

Learn the total story: https://t.co/plRqK6qucf

— Clear Air Council (@CleanAirCouncil) August 28, 2023

Activists categorical issues over the potential escalation of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, echoing previous incidents the place such emissions surged after Stronghold’s acquisition of the Panther Creek plant in 2021.

Charles McPhedran, an lawyer from Earthjustice, emphasised the importance of the choice, citing the unfavourable ramifications of Stronghold’s prior operations.

The corporate’s previous use of coal to gas its mining actions in Pennsylvania raised alarms about air air pollution and environmental degradation, additional intensifying the scrutiny on its present proposal.

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Russell Zerbo, an advocate with the CAC, bolstered the group’s stance by calling for a comprehensive review of the Panther Creek facility.

Zerbo prompt that for the reason that power produced by the plant is redirected in the direction of Bitcoin mining as a substitute of the grid, the ability must be re-evaluated as a possible contributor to heightened air air pollution ranges.

Stronghold’s Protection And Future Prospects

Stronghold Digital Mining responded to the mounting criticism, stating that the depiction offered by environmental teams is overly unfavourable and never aligned with the corporate’s practices.

The corporate identified that it holds a brief allow from the PDEP to make the most of tire-derived gas, highlighting a number of years of testing that supposedly revealed no adversarial results.

The continued debate underscores the intricate intersection between technological innovation and environmental conservation.

As Stronghold’s utility navigates the regulatory course of, the result of this battle will undoubtedly maintain implications for the broader dialog surrounding sustainable power options within the crypto sector.

Featured picture from iStock