Stronghold Digital Mining, an American mining company, has recently submitted an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) asking for approval of cryptocurrency mining utilizing energy released through burning tires.
This story was disclosed in recent local media reports. The company is attempting to implement this initiative at their Panther Creek plant located in Neskehoning.
The filing by Stronghold notes that it aims to generate up to 15% of its energy capacity through this method.
As justification for their application, the company points to the existing permits given by the US Environmental Protection Agency to other industrial facilities in the state, allowing them to use tires as a source of energy.
Although Stronghold initially made their request back in July, this news only made waves in the public in late August. Many environmentalists have started preparing to oppose this action.
Those concerned have argued that the facilities already operating under similar regulations are not in sound standing, and believe that Stronghold should be forbidden from executing their plan.
Russell Zerbo, spokesperson for the Clean Air Council, has said:
“Panther Creek must be re-permitted as an incinerator, with additional air pollution monitoring requirements, in order to use its energy production for cryptocurrency mining instead of selling it to utilities.”
