Latest news with #BrightRidge
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JC moratorium on Bitcoin mines likely to allow development of stricter rules
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Johnson City commissioners may temporarily halt new businesses in heavy industrial (I-2) zones in order to buy time to craft stricter limits around Bitcoin mines and other data centers. Jury finds Hitchcock brothers guilty of murdering father Mayor John Hunter told News Channel 11 Wednesday a moratorium is likely in the wake of nearly 90 minutes of public comment opposing Bitcoin mines at a May 15 commission meeting. That vote would come at a June 5 meeting that would also likely include final passage of at least some initial zoning rule changes to address data centers. 'If this (zoning amendment) passes on third reading and we look at doing a moratorium, it gives us the opportunity to review our noise ordinance as well as some other concerns that residents brought about at the commission meeting, including vibration and environmental issues,' Hunter said. He said the city hopes to engage experts on acoustics and other impacts related to data centers — massive conglomerations of computers that run complex calculations for cryptocurrency operations or artificial intelligence. The centers have drawn criticism for the noise that the fans used to cool the servers make, among other things. Commissioners were holding the second of three readings on May 15 on a proposed change to the city's zoning code designed to limit data centers, including Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency mines, to I-2 zones. The current proposed limits weren't enough for many speakers from a south Johnson City neighborhood where BrightRidge had been considering hosting and providing electricity for what would be the city's first Bitcoin mine. BrightRidge itself announced a moratorium on hosting data centers last week, but without any specifics about duration. The south Johnson City site could have replaced a mine in Limestone that drew intense public criticism for noise and has to vacate by March 2026 as part of a lawsuit settlement. PREVIOUS: County commission OKs Bitcoin lawsuit settlement A pause, which city attorney Tom Seeley told commissioners would have to apply to any new businesses within the I-2 zones where data centers would be allowed, could give the city time to craft even more limits on data centers. 'We can complete our process of updating not just the zoning text amendment, but also the noise ordinance to address those types of issues and concerns for the city,' Hunter said. Sylvain Bruni, one of the residents who spoke out May 15 in what he called 'a tense and tough meeting,' said people from the neighborhood will be keeping a close eye on what actually transpires. 'I do think the neighbors really communicated what we wanted the commission to hear, and to some extent they've addressed and they've heard those concerns as shown by those commitments,' Bruni said. He said those include the moratorium; further strengthening limitations in the zoning code beyond the current proposal; and studying potential impacts during the moratorium, including researching 'other types of impacts that we've brought to their attention.' 'We're going to continue tracking that they're delivering on those commitments,' Bruni said. Commissioners seemed to agree on May 15 that more needs to be done. 'I am for the strongest possible wording that will keep data centers from wanting to come to Johnson City,' Commissioner Todd Fowler said after speakers finished. But as Commissioner Joe Wise pointed out, the lack of any language in the city's zoning code about data centers means 'there is nothing about our code that's written today that prevents this from happening tomorrow.' By law, local governments can only prevent illegal businesses from operating. Strip clubs, for instance, aren't illegal and can't be completely prohibited. A business that sold cocaine, on the other hand, couldn't legally operate. Hunter said Wednesday that both traditional data centers and crypto mining centers are on the rise and that local governments have to prepare. 'I think it's imperative that we put these extra restrictions and regulations in place that the city has the ability to do,' he said. Bruni said he still isn't convinced the city couldn't put even more restrictions in place, including a moratorium strictly related to Bitcoin mining. He said he'd like to get more information from the city attorney on why that can't be done. Hunter said he thought the May 15 meeting, which longtime commissioner Jenny Brock said drew the most public comment she'd ever seen, was 'really great. 'It started out with some people that had strong concerns, and I think at the end of the day, both the city commission was heard as well as the citizens, and I think a lot of clarity was provided.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Johnson City residents voice opposition to potential Bitcoin mine
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – On Tuesday afternoon, members of the Johnson City community gathered to voice their concerns regarding a potential Bitcoin mine planned for the city. Earlier on Tuesday, BrightRidge announced they were issuing a 'moratorium' for the mine. City resident Sylvain Bruni said this statement provided them with no reassurance. 'A moratorium is temporary,' he said. 'And there is no description in the press release as to how long that's going to be. Is it going to be a month, two months, six months until people forget about it and then can come back?' Among the residents' concerns were health and the noise that would be emitted from the mine. 'My concern is the mental health effects and health effects,' resident Reenie Fetters said. 'Noise pollution, I mean, I'm an ex-military officer, and they do use sound as a weapon. Why on earth would we want this anywhere near us when it only employs about one person? It's not giving us more jobs.' The proposed site is located near the VFW Post 2108. Fetters expressed her concerns regarding the local veterans. 'I know, as a former Air Force therapist, I know what some of these folks have been through,' she said. 'And that is going to have a deleterious effect on their health.' Bruni said those opposed to the mine are asking city leaders to reconsider allowing the mine in. 'There are so many negatives there that we don't want this anywhere near us,' he said. 'So we invite the city to actually take it seriously and consider all of those elements of feedback provided by the community.' Johnson City Mayor John Hunter said city leaders are looking at ways to restrict the mine as much as they are able to. 'What we're considering is increased buffering,' he said. 'Not just around the property line, but also around anything that makes noise. As well as cleaning up language in order to tie back to our actual noise ordinance.' Hunter added that the city has considered limiting the zones in which the mine could be located. 'Our consideration is about the people that we serve,' Hunter said. 'And that we continue to make this a community that people want to live, work, and play is paramount.' Despite those intentions, residents said they still have their reservations. 'It would be great to limit it to one or two [zones],' Fetters said. 'But if that's in my backyard, I still don't want it.' Those opposed plan to voice their concerns during the City Commission meeting on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BrightRidge pauses any new data center projects
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — With community concerns growing over a potential south Johnson City site for a Bitcoin mine or data center, BrightRidge announced a halt to 'entertaining proposals for new data center projects in our service area…' Nolichucky raft guides likely to lose 2025 season in Gorge The moratorium includes 'the one being considered in south Johnson City,' which neighboring residents have spoken out against. That opposition has come during Johnson City Commission meetings as the city considers implementing new zoning regulations that would put some guardrails around data centers. Opponents have primarily decried the noise many data centers make as massive fans cool the computers that perform complex computations for everything from artificial intelligence to cryptocurrency. BrightRidge's statement Tuesday says the power provider 'values the perspectives of the region's leadership and the long-term economic health of the communities we serve when considering the feasibility of any new development in our region.' The power distributor acknowledged publicly for the first time that it was considering a data center or cryptocurrency mine for property it bought in an I-2 (light industrial) zone last year near one of its substations. A Bitcoin mine in Limestone that buys power from BrightRidge must close by next March as part of a lawsuit settlement, and the south Johnson City site could have been a replacement location. BrightRidge now writes that 'in the case of the south Johnson City project and other similar projects in the near term, the costs currently outweigh the benefits for the communities we serve.' Sylvain Bruni lives near the south Johnson City site and has been among those questioning both the City of Johnson City and BrightRidge about the prospect of a data center there. The Washington County Democratic Party adopted a resolution opposing 'Under-regulation of Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities in Johnson City' Monday night. Bruni welcomed the news of BrightRidge's moratorium but said the general concerns remain. He said citizens need to know the moratorium's timeline and whether any other projects currently in the pipeline could still move forward. Bruni also said the announcement doesn't 'address the specific concerns that neighbors have provided, that is, x, y and z safeguards need to be in place to address the concerns of residents.' Bruni said BrightRidge may have addressed all those concerns, but he believes the lack of clarity on that points to another major concern he has, regarding transparency. 'Knowing where we are in terms of citizens' trust in their government, and the City of Johnson City and BrightRidge, why approach it with less than adequate transparency?' Bruni asked. 'We need to make sure we hold them accountable, so we will continue to have public meetings about it.' The entire BrightRidge statement is below. The utility said it will have 'no further comment' beyond the statement. BrightRidge values the perspectives of the region's leadership and the long-term economic health of the communities we serve when considering the feasibility of any new development in our region. For this reason, BrightRidge is putting a moratorium on entertaining proposals for new data center projects in our service area, including the one being considered in south Johnson City. BrightRidge is a proud regional leader in the adoption and deployment of innovative technology, and we are fully aware of the many benefits a next-generation data center could bring to the communities we serve. However, in the case of the south Johnson City project and other similar projects in the near term, the costs currently outweigh the benefits for the communities we serve. The site in south Johnson City is zoned for industrial use and retains great value to BrightRidge and our customers as a potential power substation and/or a wholesale electricity delivery point for a future industrial user. For this site and others, BrightRidge remains committed to working collaboratively with community leaders to identify future industrial projects that will deliver economic development, create great jobs, and maintain low power bills to the residents we serve. The data center facility located in Limestone, which is currently operating under a settlement agreement with Washington County, remains on track for closure in March 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$150k from BrightRidge gets group 90% to goal to bring new air service to Tri-Cities
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — A $150,000 commitment from BrightRidge has helped an organization nearly reach its goal to bring new air service to Tri-Cities Airport (TRI). BRIDGE, a regional economic development organization that is privately funded, has been raising funds from county and city governments, local businesses and individuals in the hopes of enticing an airline to bring service to the airport. Proposed Poga retreat faces setback at planning committee BRIDGE hopes to raise $2 million as a minimum revenue guarantee for an airline. Those funds would be used to bring a low-cost airline to TRI and provide regular, non-stop service to two major markets. On Tuesday, BRIDGE announced in a news release that it was 90% to its goal, courtesy of a $150,000 commitment from BrightRidge. The commitment would span over two years. BrightRidge's board of directors approved a resolution to support the expansion on Tuesday. 'We're grateful to the BrightRidge Board for their support,' BRIDGE executive director John Rose stated in the release. 'As one of the key utility providers in the region, BrightRidge understands the regionwide economic benefit of improved air service at TRI, and we appreciate their strong commitment.' BRIDGE did not meet its initial fundraising deadline of April 7; however, the organization has continued to get more commitments. According to Rose, BRIDGE is set up to speak with more potential partners this week who could help the organization reach the $2 million threshold. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BrightRidge gives $82k to county schools through solar initiative
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Washington County, Tennessee Schools (WCS) received its largest contribution from BrightRidge's Solar Schools Initiative on Thursday. BrightRidge presented the school system with $82,248 during a school board meeting. THP: Juvenile dead after crash in Erwin According to a news release from BrightRidge, WCS has participated in the Solar Schools Initiative for three years. To date, BrightRidge has contributed $206,100 to the school system. The $82,248 contribution is the largest ever awarded through the initiative, which the electric provider attributed to increased production at Martin Solar Farm, located in Washington County. A portion of the savings generated by the solar farm funds the program through a community agreement. According to BrightRidge, Martin Solar Farm produces nine megawatts of energy and saves customers more than $700,000 each year. 'We believe in supporting the future of our region through investment in public education, and this program provides valuable resources for students and educators alike,' BrightRidge CEO Jeff Dykes said in the release. 'We're honored to continue this partnership and thank the Washington County Board of Education for leading the way in demonstrating the efficiency and return on community solar projects.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
