A utility company in the state of Washington, a popular place for Bitcoin miners, has cut off electricity to three "unauthorized" sites that, according to the authorities, pose a risk to public safety.
The Chelan County Public Utilities District (PUD) said Monday that the three mines located separately in Wenatchee, Malaga and Chelan were "using enough energy to create fire hazards for neighbors and damage equipment from the power grid not suitable for loading. " For that reason, public service officials disconnected the energy at those sites.
"Not only do we worry, we are outraged that some people put people at risk," PUD commissioner Steve McKenna said in a statement issued on April 2. "We will not tolerate it. This is a strong message, and I want to make it very clear. "
The PUD said that, in the future, dishonest operators could face possible legal repercussions for the theft of energy and the endangerment of public safety.
However, the PUD commissioner, Garry Arseneault, clarified that any major restriction would focus on unknown mining operations, and not on miners who are approved and comply with the rules.
Arseneault stated :
"What we're talking about is a person who is intentionally trying to get away with it and use the (electrical) energy in a way that is not appropriate for an installation and do it without having requested (that capability) the service ... I see, without However, once again, a reason to support the installation of automatic meters to be able to confront these scoundrels before they burn an apartment building and perhaps kill a family or children in the process. "
Chelan County, a region known for its abundant hydroelectric power, is an attractive site for industrial-scale miners who take advantage of the region's relatively cheap power to maximize profits.
However, the PUD imposed a moratorium on the new Bitcoin mines last month, citing security concerns, as previously stated.
According to reports, other local governments in the area are carrying out similar movements.
Wenatchee, for example, recently approved new cryptocurrency mining ordinances.According to Koho 101 , the city joined Chelan City, Leavenworth and East Wenatchee to restrict bitcoin mining operations.