Residents of Granbury, Texas, have filed a lawsuit against Marathon Digital Holdings, accusing the crypto mining giant of causing excessive noise pollution that disrupts their daily lives and threatens their health. The lawsuit, filed in the Texas State Court in Hood County, claims that Marathon’s Bitcoin mining facility is responsible for “serious health and quality of life impacts” on the local community.
According to Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm representing the residents, more than two dozen individuals have reported suffering from a range of severe health issues, including permanent hearing loss, debilitating migraines, tinnitus, and vertigo. The plaintiffs argue that these health problems are directly linked to the constant noise generated by Marathon’s Bitcoin mining operations.
In addition to health concerns, the lawsuit highlights the financial burden placed on residents. Many have reported a significant rise in their electricity bills, with some households seeing monthly increases ranging from $100 to $200. This has sparked widespread frustration as the community grapples with both economic and environmental fallout from the mining operations.
Beyond the financial strain, homeowners are also witnessing a decline in property values due to the persistent noise and vibrations from the nearby cryptomine. Residents describe their once-quiet neighborhoods as being transformed into a “prison” as the relentless hum of mining machines shakes their homes and disrupts their peace of mind.
The lawsuit is seeking a permanent injunction to compel Marathon Digital to stop creating or allowing unreasonable noise at its Bitcoin mining site. The plaintiffs are also asking for any other relief the court deems necessary to protect the well-being of the community.
“Residents’ homes are no longer the refuge they once were. Marathon must take immediate action to reduce their overwhelming noise pollution,” said Rodrigo Cantú, a senior attorney at Earthjustice.
The lawsuit follows months of complaints from the Granbury community, which were reported to local authorities, including the Hood County Constable and Sheriff’s Office, between November 2023 and March 2024. Despite the construction of a 24-foot sound barrier by Marathon in an attempt to mitigate the noise, residents argue that these efforts have been insufficient, and local regulations have proven ineffective. Noise violations, they say, result in little more than a $500 fine, which does nothing to alleviate the disruption to their lives.
Marathon Digital has previously stated that it commissioned a third-party study to assess the noise levels and pledged to investigate further, but the residents remain unconvinced by the company’s efforts to address the issue.
Texas has become a major hub for cryptocurrency mining, largely due to its affordable electricity rates and regulatory incentives. Since China’s ban on crypto mining in 2021, Texas has emerged as a top destination for mining companies, hosting five of the ten largest Bitcoin mining facilities in the U.S. by April 2023. However, the rapid expansion of crypto mining in the state has raised concerns about its impact on the power grid, increased electricity costs for residents, and growing health complaints related to the constant noise generated by these operations.
The Granbury mining site, which began operations in 2022, has changed ownership multiple times, eventually landing in the hands of Marathon Digital Holdings in early 2024. Residents are now pushing back against the company’s operations, seeking legal recourse in their fight for peace and quiet.
