The Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) in Washington State has cut off electricity to three "unauthorized" sites that officials said posed a risk to public safety, the PUD Commission stated on its website.
PUD decided to "enforce the moratorium on unauthorized cryptocurrency operations including imposing available fees and penalties and considering new ones, disconnecting service and reporting unauthorized loads to law enforcement as power theft and to fire officials to protect public safety."
According to the officials, three separate mines in Wenatchee, Malaga and Chelan were cut off of power supply because they were "using enough power to create fire risks for neighbors and damage grid equipment not sized for the load."
“Not only are we concerned, we’re incensed that individuals are putting people at risk,” said Commissioner Steve McKenna. “We’re not going to tolerate it. This is a strong message, and I want to make that very clear.”
Chelan County is an attractive site for industrial-scale miners because it is known for its abundant hydropower.
By Jade Olafson