Texas Oil Town Shaken by Presence of World’s Largest Bitcoin Mine
In a previous October, Sawicky spearheaded a weeklong demonstration in collaboration with the environmental advocacy group Greenpeace, brandishing various anti-bitcoin placards at individuals entering the Riot establishment. Despite Sawicky’s efforts, only a handful of supporters showed up, leaving her disheartened. Reflecting on the experience, she expressed deep disappointment and disillusionment with her fellow humans.
Known for her bold and unapologetic demeanor, Sawicky has abandoned subtlety and cunning in favor of a more direct approach. She describes herself as obnoxious and confrontational, believing that stirring up trouble is necessary to elicit a reaction. Even her close associates, like John Blewitt, acknowledge her tendency to alienate people while acknowledging their fondness for her. Blewitt, a sporadic attendee at TCAC events, admits that Sawicky’s confrontational tactics can be divisive.
While Standridge downplays the petition incident as not indicative of the city’s stance towards Sawicky, other local officials are less reserved in their opinions of TCAC. David Brewer, a commissioner in the Navarro County Commissioners Court, openly criticizes the protesters for disruptive behavior during meet-and-greets at Riot, likening their conduct to that of unruly children. Brewer asserts that the government at the county and city levels pays little heed to TCAC’s activities.
Several counties away, near Granbury, a significant bitcoin mining operation has already begun causing the very issues Sawicky has been warning about. Cheryl Shadden, a resident in the vicinity, has been directly impacted by a bitcoin mine established by Compute North adjacent to her property. By the end of 2023, Shadden claims that the noise emanating from the mine became intolerable, likening the experience to feeling invaded by extraterrestrial beings.
Shadden, a nurse anesthetist who has resided in Granbury for 27 years, lives on a spacious property with an assortment of animals. Despite the noise from the nearby mine being relatively manageable during the visit, locals assert that on certain days, the racket becomes unbearable, prompting some to vacate the area. The adverse effects of the noise pollution are evident, with Shadden attributing health issues such as sleep disturbances, nausea, and tinnitus to the constant din. In fact, Shadden was diagnosed with tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss, conditions that can be exacerbated by noise exposure, in June. Other residents in the neighborhood report similar health concerns, including headaches and high blood pressure, all linked to the disruptive noise levels from the nearby bitcoin mine.
