A Bitcoin mining operation was established in Alberta, Canada. It tried to tap a nearby natural gas well for power. However, neighbors complained about the loud noises it made.
Gizmodo was emailed by Link Global's CEO, trying to minimize the incident.
He wrote that we operate on abandoned gas sites and are working with the utilities commission in compliance. Their main challenge was compliance as bitcoin mining is still new to the energy regulatory framework. Sometimes it can be difficult to get first.
The tension between crypto miners, local infrastructure and the energy industry has been constant. After news broke that local miners were stealing electricity from a local utility, Malaysian police took 1,069 bitcoin mining equipment and crushed them all with a steamroller.
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Gizmodos reading revealed that Link Global never actually notified anyone about its use of the natural gas well, which amounts to theft. The CBC reported late last month that the Alberta provincial utilities commission proposed a $5.6million fine for Link Global.
Four 1.25 megawatt gas generators were installed by the Vancouver-based mining company. They can power approximately 6,000 homes near Edmonton, Alberta. Maga Energy, a private oil-and-gas production company, was powering the generators.
Initial complaints from neighbors about noise generated by generators were made to the Alberta Utilities Commission, which was alerted.
According to Jeff Kocuipchyk, a local resident, it changes with the direction of the wind. It sounds just like a wave, but it is 10 times louder than a wave and 100 times more irritating.
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Although Link Global claims no wrongdoings, the AUC doesn't like its excuses.
Link Global's willful disregard of the existence of regulatory requirements before commencing operations and its continued operation in contravention increases the severity of the contraventions, according to the regulators enforcement team in a statement last month, which was quoted by the CBC.
According to the filing, such conduct is detrimental to the integrity and effectiveness of the regulatory framework.
Worse, Link Global did not report any crypto mining revenue in the first six months this year, according the enforcement team. According to the CBC, it was a serious allegation by Link Global's legal team.
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Link Global will be convicted at a hearing in November if it stole natural gas from Maga Energy. The company will likely face a tough battle to avoid being fined.
READ MORE: A Bitcoin Mining Organization Started a Secret Energy Plant, But It Didn't Go as Planned [Gizmodo]
Watch this video to learn more about illegal mining: Watch Police Crush 1,069 Bitcoin Mining Rigs with a Steamroller
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