Groups Rebut Damning, False Claims on Greenidge Bitcoin Expansion Along Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake Guardian, Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter set the record straight

Seneca Lake, NY- Growing increasingly alarmed over the false claims and vicious attacks by Greenidge Corporation on the volunteer, grassroots environmental organizations who have supported the environment and agri-tourism industry in the Finger Lakes for decades, Seneca Lake Guardian, Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes, and the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter felt the need to fight back in a lengthy, but factual rebuttal of Greenidge’s claims.

“We’ve dedicated years of our lives to researching proposals for projects in the Finger Lakes and working to support a $3 Billion agricultural and tourism based economy in the region,” said Yvonne Taylor, Vice President of Seneca Lake Guardian. “Sometimes it is a thankless job, but preserving the area and the lakes for generations to come is important work. We collaborate with others in an effort to do accurate, independent research, and we don’t appreciate being called liars by bully corporations trying to push their way into the region without adequate studies and review,” Taylor added.

“My research and analysis is sound,” said Mary Anne Kowalski, President of Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes. “The details in my review are sourced and documented. It is interesting to see a multi-million-dollar Bitcoin industry with a slick Albany PR firm try to discredit my work, but I have compiled the facts for the public’s review, and I stand behind what I have contributed regarding Greenidge Bitcoin expansion,” added Kowalski.

“When a corporation has somehow gotten away with violating both DEC and Clean Water Act regulations on trout streams for years,” said Kate Bartholomew, Chair of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, “we need to set the record straight. I am proud to work with my colleagues on ensuring that the facts on this project and its proposed increase in energy use for private Bitcoin is made available to the public and our decision-makers.”

Background:

Greenidge Generation LLC was originally permitted as a “peaker plant” to generate on demand power to the public when needed. It has since augmented its operations to include private Bitcoin mining. Its current operation consists of 7,900 mines with a goal of expanding to 30,000 mines in the town of Dresden, NY. Concerns raised by the community include increased greenhouse gas emissions, noise, increased incidences of Harmful Algal Blooms, loss of aquatic life, and the corresponding threat to a $3 Billion agri-tourism industry that supports 58,000 jobs.