A group of over 20 residents in Granbury, Texas, has filed a lawsuit against Marathon Digital, claiming the Bitcoin mining operation near their homes is causing unbearable noise. The lawsuit, filed on October 4 in Hood County Court, alleges that the constant noise and vibrations from the site are a “nuisance,” severely impacting their health and well-being.
Health and Property Concerns
Residents say the unrelenting noise from Marathon’s facility causes “extreme discomfort and annoyance.” According to the complaint, some individuals have experienced various health issues, including:
- Fatigue
- Headaches and migraines
- Hearing loss and tinnitus
- Memory problems
- Worsened pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure
The suit claims that even indoors, residents can hear the noise and feel vibrations from the crypto mine, which disrupts their ability to enjoy their properties.
Energy Costs and Property Values
Beyond health concerns, the residents allege the Bitcoin mining operation has negatively affected their finances. They claim the mine’s high energy consumption has increased their electricity bills while simultaneously decreasing their property values.
Rodrigo Cantú, a senior attorney with the environmental law firm Earthjustice, represents the group. In a statement on October 7, he emphasized that the residents want Marathon Digital to either implement effective noise reduction measures or shut down the facility entirely.
Legal Action and Relief Sought
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to prevent the facility from generating unreasonable noise. Additionally, the residents are asking for compensation and coverage for legal costs. Marathon Digital has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Granbury Bitcoin mine was initially constructed by Compute North Holdings in April 2022, next to the Wolf Hollow II gas-fired power plant. Marathon acquired the lease in January 2023, taking over from Hut 8 Corp, which operated the site until April 30.
According to some residents, the noise became noticeable around spring 2023. While Marathon’s July earnings report indicates the company manages 250,000 Bitcoin mining rigs, the number operating at the Granbury site remains unclear. The mine has a reported hashrate of 4.3 ExaHashs per second (EH/s).
Similar Cases in Other Regions
The case in Granbury mirrors a similar lawsuit from Hadsel, Norway, where residents successfully shut down a local Bitcoin mine due to noise concerns in 2022. However, residents there now face higher electricity bills because the local power company’s revenue declined following the shutdown.
