Eco-activists of Save Carbon County have sued Bitcoin miner Stronghold Digital Mining
The community group Save Carbon County has filed a lawsuit against Stronghold Digital Mining, claiming that the mining company's activities cause significant damage to the ecology of the state of Pennsylvania.
The lawsuit alleges that Stronghold Digital uses spent coal and old tires to generate electricity and then mine digital assets, releasing mercury waste into the atmosphere and local reservoirs. Save Carbon requires the mining company to compensate for environmental damage and pay penalties, and also intends to obtain a court order banning Stronghold Digital's activities in Pennsylvania.
Eco-activists plan to hold the state administration accountable for violations of the constitutional duty to protect the environment. According to Save Carbon, the state government should be collectively punished for ensuring the activities of Stronghold Digital through issued licenses and tax incentives.
The co-chairman and CEO of Stronghold Digital Mining, Greg Beard, denied Save Carbon's accusations in a press statement. He said that his company actually cleans the land and water in this area of Pennsylvania, as it disposes of industrial waste and coal production waste left over from the development of a coal deposit in the region.
"Thanks to Stronghold, tons of coal waste have been disposed of and more than 400 hectares of once—destroyed land have been restored, which has now turned into sports fields, parks and fishing spots for local residents," said the head of the mining company.
According to the lawyer of the public group Save Carbon, Aaron Freiwald, this is the first case in judicial practice when the Pennsylvania administration was sued for violating the constitutional provision of the state guaranteeing citizens the right to a clean environment, demanding a ban on cryptomining.
A court ruling in favor of the public group Save Carbon could set a dangerous legal precedent and encourage the adoption of tougher measures and regulations regarding environmental emissions from mining companies operating in residential areas.
