Three "unauthorized" mining sites are ordered to shut down following a safety risk in Washington State - a popular location for bitcoin miners. These sites are located in Wenatchee, Malaga, and Chelan and were "using enough power to create fire risks for neighbors and damage grid equipment not sized for the load." Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) has now disconnected power from these sites.
The imposition measures include firing officials to protect public safety, reporting unauthorized loads to law enforcement as power theft, disconnecting service. Enforcement also includes fines and penalties of $5000 for unlicensed operations in residential areas and $7000 to $10,000 in commercial space.
PUD thus sets a strict example for filthy operators who would have to face potential legal consequences for power theft and public safety endangerment. PUD Commissioner Steve McKenna stated,
"Not only are we concerned, we're incensed that individuals are putting people at risk. We're not going to tolerate it. This is a strong message, and I want to make that very clear."
PUD commissioner Garry Arseneault was furious to know that monthly power consumption of these apartments hiked from 500 kWh to 11,000-plus kWh. However, he also clarified his stance that only unknown mining operations would have to face heightened restrictions. The miners approved and following the legit rules aren't concerned with the scenario.
Arseneault said,
“What we’re discussing is a person who is purposely trying to slip around the end and use power in a way that a facility was not designed for and doing so in a manner where there’s been no request for service to meet that kind of demand. I see yet, once again, a reason to support the installation of automated meters to be able to confront these scoundrels before they do burn an apartment building down and perhaps kill a family or children in the process.”
A region known for its abundant hydropower, Chelan County is one of the leading culprits in the power supply is comparatively cheap in there as compared to other areas. And thus it attracts more amount of industrial-scale miners to gain more profit in the field. And due to this small towns face scarcity of electricity. Thus more local governments in the area are also making similar moves. Recently Wenatchee passed new cryptocurrency mining regulation. Chelan City, Leavenworth and East Wenatchee are also restricting bitcoin mining operations in the regions.