DRESDEN, N.Y.(WENY)-- A protest was held today by the Seneca Lake Guardian to show opposition to a large bitcoin mining operation on Seneca Lake. 

Greenidge Generation is a former coal-fired electrical power plant that has converted to natural gas. Greenidge Generation currently houses 7,000 bitcoin mining machines, one of the largest bitcoin mining facilities in the U.S. Atlas Holdings, the current owner, bought the power plant in 2014 and converted the plant from a coal-fired plant to natural gas in 2017. 

The GG facility has a generating capacity of 107 megawatts according to the Department of Environmental Conservation. According to the DEC, the facility also has the ability to discharge 108F water into the Keuka outlet, withdraw 139,248,000 gallons of water a day and discharge approximately 134 million gallons per day. These limits were derived from earlier Clean Water Act 316(a) thermal studies. 

Environmental groups expressed concern over the potential long-term impacts this facility could have on the environment as it will have the ability to operate every day of the year. 

GG’s application for an expansion was originally approved by the Town of Torrey and soon after, several groups filed a lawsuit against the Town of Torrey and Greenidge Generation LLC. Because the operation has the ability to affect surrounding counties, Yates county was able to vote against the operation. Now the decision will go back to the Town of Torrey, where they will revote and will need a majority plus one to pass the GG expansion. 

Dresden community member, Abi Buddington, believes that GG is making small donations to community members to distract them from the environmental impacts that exist. 

“ Token donations from Greenidge, like the $25,000 they recently gave to the village of Dresden Fire Department are pocket change to them but to the village, they are big enough to seemingly influence our decision-makers,” said Buddington. 

Michael McKeon, Greenidge Generation representative said, GG is doing more than making donations and he believes it is making a positive long-term impact. 

“Greenidge is a tremendous facility that has created jobs and opportunity and tax revenue for the local town, county, village and schools,” said McKeon. 

Yvonne Taylor, Vice President of Seneca Lake Guardian, said bitcoin mining is known to be environmentally taxing and this operation could have long-lasting negative effects on the region. 

“This goes against Governor Cuomo's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act or the CLCPA, which aims to reduce emissions and it will undo everything else we have done or plan to do to fight climate change,” said Taylor. 

McKeon said that GG is operating well within its permits and plans to continue to stay within these permits going into the future. McKeon also said the people working at the GG plant are local residents that care about the lake just as much as everyone else. 

“We care about this lake very, very much and do an excellent job investing millions of dollars to ensure that we meet the standards that we need to meet,” said McKeon. 

In a reply sent to WENY news reporter, Cody Taylor,  the Department of Environmental Conservation said: 

“As part of DEC’s aggressive oversight of this facility and their compliance with our stringent regulatory requirements, DEC is closely monitoring the operations of Greenidge Generation, a bitcoin mining operation in Torrey, New York, and current proposals for its expansion. In addition to ensuring continued compliance with DEC’s current permits for the facility, DEC will ensure a comprehensive and transparent review of ?its proposed air permit renewals with a particular focus on the potential climate change impacts and consistency with the nation-leading emissions limits established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. As the greenhouse gas emissions associated with this type of facility may be precedential and have broader implications beyond New York’s borders, DEC will consult with the U.S. EPA, the Climate Action Council, and others as we thoroughly evaluate? the complex issues involved.”

This coming Monday, April 19th,  the Town of Torrey Planning Board will be holding a meeting to vote on the Greenidge Generation site plan, which would allow the facility to install four buildings. The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm, 56 Geneva Street Dresden, NY. These meetings are public and anyone is allowed to attend. 

Before Monday’s meeting, environmental groups are asking that you contact the Town of Torrey planning board and ask them to”

  •  “Take a hard look at the possible adverse impacts to our community, Seneca Lake and the Keuka Outlet before making any decisions.”

  • “Ask your town, village, city, county government to pass a resolution opposing bitcoin mining until more information can be gathered.” 

  • Call Governor Andrew Cuomo: (518)-474-8390

  • Ask your state legislature to work on laws to regulate bitcoin mining in NY. 

  • Ask your state senator to work on laws that federally regulate bitcoin mining in the US.