Bitcoin mining threatens Texas power grid stability

Bitcoin mining threatens Texas power grid stability

Granbury, Texas, residents and lawmakers express growing concerns over the impact of a local Bitcoin mine on noise pollution and the state's power grid reliability.

Keaton Peters reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Cheryl Shadden, a Granbury resident, suffers from severe noise pollution caused by a nearby 300-megawatt Bitcoin mining facility, leading to permanent hearing loss.
  • Texas lawmakers warn that the increasing power demand from cryptocurrency mines could destabilize the state’s electrical grid, especially during peak usage times.
  • The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) estimates that additional electricity demand from such facilities will significantly rise by 2027, potentially worsening grid stability.

Key quote:

"They’re going to put our grid at risk because of the power they’re drawing."

— José Menéndez, Texas State Senator

Why this matters:

Bitcoin mining is notoriously energy-intensive, and with Texas already experiencing grid vulnerabilities, many worry about the additional strain this digital gold rush is placing on an already fragile system. The energy consumption of Bitcoin mines isn't just a local issue; it's a global one, with substantial carbon footprints. As the world grapples with climate change, the demand for such energy-guzzling operations raises questions about sustainability and our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Aerial view of heavy machinery clearing a forest.

Amazon leaders unite to advance regional action on rainforest protection

Presidents and top officials from Amazon nations met in Bogotá to adopt a new joint declaration aimed at increasing cooperation and delivering on past promises to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

Steven Grattan reports for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
A SEPTA system transit bus in Philadelphia PA.

Philadelphia transit faces deep cuts as SEPTA funding stalls in state legislature

Commuters in Philadelphia will see major reductions in public transit service starting this weekend after lawmakers failed to resolve a $231 million budget gap, putting strain on riders who depend on SEPTA for work, school, and healthcare.

Tim Craig reports for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
Four smokestacks billowing pollution

Oil and gas air pollution in the U.S. linked to tens of thousands of early deaths, study finds

Air pollution from U.S. oil and gas activity contributed to an estimated 91,000 premature deaths in 2017, with minority communities facing the heaviest health burdens, according to new peer-reviewed research.

Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.

Keep reading...Show less
A satellite in space hovering over the earth.

NASA budget cuts threaten public health research tied to climate data

NASA's Earth science program, a vital source of environmental and health data, faces steep funding cuts under the Trump administration that could derail research on climate-linked health risks like Lyme disease and air pollution.

Joanne Kenen reports for Undark Magazine.

Keep reading...Show less
A rocket launch with a blue sky and clouds in the background

New surge in space launches raises concerns over upper-atmosphere pollution

Scientists are warning that emissions from skyrocketing numbers of satellite launches are contributing to a new and poorly understood form of air pollution that may affect Earth’s atmosphere and climate for decades.

Gary Fuller reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
An vast industrial complex on a sunny day.

Shell may sell $14 billion plastic plant in Pennsylvania after record tax deal fails to deliver

Shell is exploring a sale of its massive plastics facility in western Pennsylvania, built with a $1.65 billion state tax break, as the company shifts away from petrochemicals and toward its core fossil fuel operations.

Kiley Bense reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
A road and hillside blackened after a wildfire.

Wildfire smoke and disruptions tied to spike in deaths

Wildfire conditions in Maui in August 2023 were linked to a 67% rise in local deaths, with many occurring outside medical settings, according to new research.

Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.