- Bitcoin mining in the town of Niagara Falls will resume following a council vote
- U.S. Bitcoin Corp was forced to halt operations following noise complaints
- The company can now resume with strict measures in place
Bitcoin mining at Niagara Falls is set to resume after the U.S. Bitcoin Corp reached a settlement with the city of Niagara Falls in New York state. The company’s 50-megawatt facility had been a subject of controversy due to noise complaints from local residents, and in March the State Supreme Court ordered the mining firm to halt its operations at the Buffalo Avenue site and pay a $1 million fine. Following an agreement with the court to limit noise pollution and have an independent monitor assigned to ensure compliance, the site will restart operations.
“Haunting Hum”
Complaints over the amount of noise at the Buffalo Avenue site, which is located two miles downstream from the falls, have been growing ever since U.S. Bitcoin Corp settled there in 2020 and started operating. The site, which draws on hydroelectric power from the Niagara River, has a computing power capacity of 1.1 exahashes/second (EH/s), but the noise of the cooling fans at the premises has, according to some residents, blanketed the immediate vicinity with a “haunting hum”.
The site has been inactive since it was ordered to shut down late last year, but a resolution has now been agreed upon to resume operations at a maximum volume of 65db, about the volume of normal conversation or laughter. The deal includes U.S. Bitcoin Corp accommodating a “noise dampening wall”, as well as being governed by the findings of an independent monitor that will keep tabs on the noise levels.
Strict New Noise Rules
U.S. Bitcoin Corp will also have to comply with new zoning laws, which pertain to developing or buying renewable energy on par with their energy consumption. It will also pay $150,000 in compliance fees over the next 30 days.
The settlement was approved by a 4-1 vote.
