{"id":2805,"date":"2023-10-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www-prod.greenpeace.org\/usa\/campaign-updates\/2805\/texan-activists-to-bitcoin-miners-dont-mess-with-texas-water-and-electricity\/"},"modified":"2025-04-23T16:06:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T16:06:37","slug":"texan-activists-to-bitcoin-miners-dont-mess-with-texas-water-and-electricity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/texan-activists-to-bitcoin-miners-dont-mess-with-texas-water-and-electricity\/","title":{"rendered":"Texan Activists To Bitcoin Miners: Don\u2019t Mess with Texas\u2019 Water and Electricity"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a resounding call to action, activists, environmentalists, and concerned Texans have come together for a week-long campaign aimed at challenging the environmental repercussions of the world’s largest Bitcoin mining operation. This unified effort seeks to address the consequences of Bitcoin mining in the Lone Star State while advocating for transparency and accountability in the industry and by local politicians.
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\"Coalition
Greenpeace USA joins frontline activists – Jackie Sawicky, Kimberlee Walter, John Avila, Monica Vickery and others – in Corsicana, TX, outside Riot Blockchain’s bitcoin-mining facility, a 265-acre site, during a week of action.
\nThe week of action is to combat energy-hungry and water-wasting Bitcoin mining. Next year, Riot Platform is set to open the world’s largest Bitcoin mine in Corsicana which would further strain Texas\u2019s already stressed energy grid.
\nThis week of action is a critical moment to demand better for Texas\u2019 communities and for our planet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a resounding call to action, activists, environmentalists, and concerned Texans have come together for a week-long campaign aimed at challenging the environmental repercussions of the world\u2019s largest Bitcoin mining operation. This unified effort seeks to address the consequences of Bitcoin mining in the Lone Star State while advocating for transparency and accountability in the industry and by local politicians.<\/p>\n

\"Coalition
Greenpeace USA joins frontline activists \u2013 Jackie Sawicky, Kimberlee Walter, John Avila, Monica Vickery and others \u2013 in Corsicana, TX, outside Riot Blockchain\u2019s bitcoin-mining facility, a 265-acre site, during a week of action.
\nThe week of action is to combat energy-hungry and water-wasting Bitcoin mining. Next year, Riot Platform is set to open the world\u2019s largest Bitcoin mine in Corsicana which would further strain Texas\u2019s already stressed energy grid.
\nThis week of action is a critical moment to demand better for Texas\u2019 communities and for our planet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Corsicana, TX (October 27, 2023)<\/b> \u2014 In a dynamic week of action, Greenpeace USA, the Texas Coalition Against Cryptomining, and Navarro County residents confronted Riot Platforms Bitcoin mining operations in Texas. The week of action shed light on Riot Platform\u2019s impending launch of the world\u2019s largest Bitcoin mining operation in Corsicana, Texas. This development threatens to exacerbate Texas\u2019 already burdened energy grid and poses substantial environmental risks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jackie Sawicky, Founder of the Texas Coalition Against Cryptomining, said: <\/b>\u201cBitcoin proof-of-waste \u2018miners\u2019 are wasting water, driving up our electricity bills, getting tax breaks, abatements, and deeply discounted energy. They get paid to shut down once the grid has destabilized, then they resell that cheap energy at a premium. Why on earth should every Texan pick up the tab for a digital casino that hardly any of us gamble in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Riot Platforms\u2019 choice of Corsicana, Texas, as the site for their colossal Bitcoin mine is driven by several factors, including proximity to the <\/span>Navarro switch<\/span><\/a>, privileged access to already strained water sources, lenient regulations, cost-effective electricity, and enticing incentives offered by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) through its Demand and Reserve Response programs. Through its participation in Demand Response, Riot is able to sell its deeply discounted energy back to Texans at a premium in times when electricity demand is high. This offers Riot substantial financial rewards at the expense of Texas ratepayers. The program has helped turn Texas into a hub for energy-intensive Bitcoin mining operations while Texans are urged to conserve energy and must contend with sky-high electricity bills.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joshua Archer, Greenpeace USA Bitcoin Campaign Lead said:<\/b> \u201cWe stand in solidarity with the Texans who are bravely raising their voices against Riot Platforms\u2019 exploitation of their communities. This week of action embodies our collective determination to combat Bitcoin\u2019s destructive impact on electricity grids, water resources, and the global climate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The protest on Wednesday lasted two hours in front of what will be the world\u2019s largest Bitcoin mine owned by Riot Platforms. Multiple residents who were driving by engaged with protesters and supported the cause.\u00a0 Photos of the week available <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kimberlee Walter, Founder of Stand Up for Change: Navarro County said: \u201c<\/b>This week of action has provided a crucial platform for raising awareness and informing my fellow Navarro County residents about the absolute devastation the presence of Riot Platforms\u2019 Bitcoin mining operation will have on all of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Local politicians in Navarro County have been less than transparent about the Bitcoin mining activities in their community, rejecting requests for an official Town Hall meeting to address concerns raised by activists.<\/span><\/p>\n

These concerns include:<\/span><\/p>\n