Texas Residents Sue Marathon Digital Over Crypto Mine Noise

Granbury, Texas residents sue Marathon Digital, claiming noise from its nearby Bitcoin mine is a “nuisance” and has negatively impacted the community’s health.

A complaint was filed by more than twenty-two citizens of Granbury, Texas, against cryptocurrency miner Marathon Digital, alleging that the mining operation located in the town is “intolerably loud.”

The organization claimed in the October 4 lawsuit filed in a Hood County Court that the noise from Marathon’s nearby Bitcoin BTC$62,700.64 mining operation is a “nuisance” causing “extreme discomfort and annoyance” to residents living close to the mine.

The group stated that the “constant, unrelenting” noise and vibrations from Marathon’s site have caused “sensory, emotional, psychological, and health impacts” for several locals.

Some residents have reported experiencing tinnitus, migraines, hearing loss, headaches, lethargy, and memory problems. According to the group, several residents’ pre-existing medical conditions—like high blood pressure—have gotten worse.

The lawsuit stated, “[residents] can hear the noise and feel the vibrations of the MARA Cryptomine even in their own homes.” “Substantial interference with Plaintiff Members’ private use and enjoyment of their properties” is added on Marathon’s website.

Additionally, the group claimed that “increases in their electricity bills and decreases in their property values” were the outcome of the energy use of the mining activity.

In an October 7 statement, homeowners’ lawyer Rodrigo Cantú of nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice said his clients want Marathon to take “immediate action to mitigate their noise pollution or shut down operations altogether effectively.”

To stop Marathon’s facility from “creating, causing, or allowing any unreasonable noise,” the residents request a permanent injunction against it from the court.

In addition, they want court expenses and any compensation to which they “may be justly entitled.”

Built-in April 2022 by its original owner, Compute North Holdings, the Granbury Bitcoin mine by Marathon is situated next to Wolf Hollow II, a gas-fired power station.

Multiple ownership changes occurred before Marathon took up the lease in January. Rival miner Hut 8 Corp ran the location until April 30.

Some residents claim that in the spring of 2023, they first became aware of the mine’s sounds.

In its July earnings report, Marathon stated that it possesses 250,000 Bitcoin mining equipment. The Granbury mine has a hashrate of 4.3 ExaHashes per second (EH/s), yet it’s yet to be determined how many there are.

In a related instance from 2022, the noise level of a nearby Bitcoin mine in Hadsel, Norway, prompted locals to demand its closure.

September proved to be successful for them. However, residents now see increased electricity prices because the local power provider is losing money.