The Finger Lakes region of New York is known for its green forests, limestone cliffs, miles of wineries, and, of course, the 11 uniquely shaped lakes said to have been formed, in Native American legend , by the hand of the Great Spirit. The area is a refuge from the state’s bustling lower half, and driving through it is quiet and serene—that is, until you reach the northwest shores of Seneca Lake, where you’ll start to hear a low humming sound.
Right next to the town of Dresden, New York, lies Greenidge Generation, a power plant turned bitcoin mine that operates 24/7 and emitted more than 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide in 2024, in an otherwise immaculate region known for its agriculture and tourism. Local environmental advocacy groups have been engaged in a never-ending lawsuit with the cryptomine over its air pollution, which they claim isn’t consistent with New York’s 2019 climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act , or CLCPA. The CLCPA commits the state to 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040 and to being entirely off fossil fuels by 2050.
“We have deep ties to the region, and I’ve always considered it the one constant I’ve ever had in an otherwise pretty tumultuous life, which is why I feel so strongly about protecting it,” said Seneca Lake resident Yvonne Taylor, who is a member of Seneca Lake Guardian, one of the groups represented in the lawsuit…