A toxic coal ash pile near the Allegheny River is finally coming down in Venango County.

A settlement was reached to remove a massive, unpermitted coal ash pile at the Scrubgrass cryptomining facility. The pile, flagged as a violation in 2022, will now be cleared by September 2026—14 months earlier than originally planned.

The agreement, involving the Pennsylvania DEP, Scrubgrass Reclamation Company, and environmental groups, also requires measures to prevent further contamination. The ash, a byproduct of burning waste coal, contains harmful toxins linked to serious health risks.

Local advocates say this is a win for the community and the environment. The Scrubgrass plant, owned by Stronghold Digital Mining, produces the ash while powering cryptocurrency operations. Reports suggest Bitfarms, Ltd. may soon acquire the plant and increase its energy use.