North Tonawanda Puts Brakes on Bitcoin Mining Facility Conversion

North Tonawanda officials have put on hold a proposal to convert a long-disputed bitcoin mining facility into AI infrastructure. The city's Common Council voted unanimously to extend the moratorium on data centers for another year, citing concerns over noise and environmental impacts.

The existing crypto mining operation on Erie Avenue has been the subject of years of complaints from residents. According to Mayor Austin Tylec, 'there's going to be a much higher level of scrutiny than the past administration allowed to happen when this project came here.'

The local debate reflects a broader fight over energy-intensive computing in New York state. Digi Power X Inc., formerly known as Digihost Technology Inc., is seeking Planning Commission approval to redesign the Erie Avenue operation for AI infrastructure.

'We have all witnessed firsthand how long it takes to rectify problems created by just one crypto currency mining operation,' said a resident at the meeting.