North Tonawanda residents and environmental advocates on Thursday again urged New York State to take action against an Erie Avenue cryptomining site that has become a growing source of noise complaints and greenhouse gas emissions.
Representatives for the company behind the operation, a Canadian firm called Digihost, promised to create dozens of high-paying jobs and pioneer several new green-energy technologies when they first appeared before the North Tonawanda Common Council two years ago.
Some residents say the Digihost cryptocurrency mine outside Buffalo has become a persistent nuisance and environmental hazard – overseen by a mysterious, out-of-town firm that has hired few local workers and shared little about its plans for the future.
Instead, Digihost has moved to power its fleet of specialized cryptomining computers by ramping up electricity production at a little-used natural-gas generating plant, The Buffalo News reported in August. That change could increase the plant’s carbon dioxide discharge by up to 290,000 metric tons per year – equivalent to the emissions from 66,000 motor vehicles.
Critics say the revival of the Fortistar plant flies in the face of New York State’s landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which…
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