Summary:
Pierce County Commission votes unanimously to deny a bitcoin mining permit.
Over 150 citizens oppose the mining operation, raising multiple concerns.
Applicant Eric Su claims the project would create 1-3 jobs with salaries of at least $60,000.
Concerns include noise, high energy demand, and health risks.
Commissioner Troy Mattox motions to deny the permit, which is met with cheers from the audience.
Citizens Pack Public Hearing to Oppose Mining Operation
The Pierce County Commission made headlines Tuesday evening by unanimously voting to deny a conditional use permit for a bitcoin mining operation located at 1199 Cason Road, Blackshear. With over 150 citizens filling the gallery of the Southeast Georgia Regional Agricultural Center, the opposition was overwhelming, with nearly all attendees voicing their disapproval of the project.
Only two individuals spoke in favor: the applicant, Eric Su, and another supporter from Waycross. Concerns raised during the meeting included:
- Location of the site
- Noise issues
- High energy demand
- Health concerns
- Water pollution
- Hazardous waste
- Declining property values
- No economic benefit to Pierce County
- Proximity to the Rehobeth Baptist Church
- Hindering the Lord's work
Eric Su, representing LN Energy, claimed the project would create 1-3 jobs with salaries starting at $60,000. However, he did not adequately address community concerns regarding the mining operation.
The property is currently zoned for agriculture/forestry, and approval was necessary to convert it for digital mining use. Cryptocurrency, including bitcoin, operates entirely electronically and relies on mining to secure its network and validate transactions. Currently, there are no digital mining facilities in Pierce County.
Misunderstandings about the nature of the operation persist, with some residents mistakenly believing it to be a traditional mine. Additionally, concerns about āChinese nationalsā working on site were raised.
Tony Waters, the property owner, was absent from the meeting but previously stated the operation would not harm the community. He mentioned that the proposed facility would feature storage units for servers and a cooling chiller supplied by a well on the property. Contrary to fears about noise, he assured attendees that the chiller would operate quieter than fans used in other bitcoin facilities.
Jim Tucker from Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation (REMC) indicated that the mining operation would incur about $6 million in electricity costs annually, with Pierce County benefiting from sales tax on the electricity sold to the operation. He confirmed that REMC could manage the energy demands of both the community and the mining facility, adding that the operation would need to halt during peak loads.
Tax assessor Bill Rozier was not present but previously noted that similar facilities had assets around $60 million, potentially generating $500,000 in local taxes. However, no one could specify the expected tax contribution from the proposed operation.
Brandon Yeomans, a lifelong resident of the nearby Cason-Rehobeth Community, spearheaded the opposition, questioning why groundwork for the mining facility was already in progress before official approvals were granted. Officials confirmed a stop work order had been issued, but some work continued after that date.
Several residents suggested that the bitcoin mining operation would be more suitable for the industrial park, away from residential areas, although the absence of a power substation there was cited as a barrier.
After nearly 90 minutes of public comments, Commissioner Troy Mattox proposed the motion to deny the permit, which was seconded by Commissioner Graham Raley. The motion passed unanimously, prompting cheers and applause from the audience.
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