CleanSpark Faces Local Pushback Over Proposed Bitcoin Mine in Tennessee

A petition opposing CleanSpark’s plan to build a Bitcoin mine in Mountain City, Tennessee, has drawn 866 signatures, reflecting local resistance in the rural Appalachian town of roughly 2,400 residents.

Launched on Change.org on Thursday, the petition urges town officials to block the proposed development, citing concerns over high energy usage, noise pollution, and minimal economic benefits.

“This proposed bitcoin mining facility does not have the best interests of Mountain City at heart. The economic benefits they might promise pale in comparison to the environmental cost and the loss of the peaceful, rural atmosphere we cherish,” wrote petition organizer Zach Jensen.

The backlash comes after recent reports that CleanSpark is eyeing a 50-acre parcel on Rainbow Road for the mine. The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Scott Garrison, told the local planning board that CleanSpark is awaiting approvals before finalizing the land purchase and construction.

While the project has met opposition from residents, it has received support from local stakeholders. Mountain Electric General Manager Rodney Metcalf reportedly endorsed the proposal, citing the potential for increased utility revenue.

CleanSpark, which operates multiple Bitcoin mining sites across the U.S., has not publicly responded to the petition. The Mountain City development would extend its presence in Tennessee following acquisitions in the state last year.