Cryptocurrency miner Diversified Energy recently abandoned a natural gas-powered crypto mining site in Elk County, Pennsylvania, leaving behind unplugged wells and regulatory violations. The site, known as Longhorn Pad A, was reactivated in 2022 after a period of dormancy, with Diversified using it to power on-site generators for mining operations. However, the company failed to secure an air quality permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) before commencing operations. Despite eventually obtaining the permit in December 2023, a March 2025 inspection revealed that Diversified had already dismantled the mining infrastructure, prompting the DEP to issue a violation notice for well abandonment. Diversified refuted claims of abandonment, suggesting a potential resumption of gas production. Nevertheless, environmental advocates and the DEP criticized the company for not fulfilling its commitment to plug Longhorn A and 13 other wells as agreed in a 2021 pact. Diversified’s business model has attracted scrutiny from environmentalists due to concerns about the company’s approach to acquiring aging wells without comprehensive decommissioning plans. The company recently agreed to plug 3,000 wells by 2034 in a legal settlement but is still under regulatory investigation, including a probe by the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The Longhorn site’s local officials in Horton Township have received no updates from Diversified, with generators and tanks reportedly removed without prior notice. In a broader context, US cities like Vilonia, Arkansas, have rejected proposals for crypto mining facilities, reflecting a growing trend of increased scrutiny on crypto-mining initiatives across municipalities. This opposition is exemplified by a lawsuit filed against Marathon Digital in Granbury, Texas, in October 2024, citing excessive noise from its mining operations. With the crypto mining industry facing regulatory challenges and public backlash, the sector continues to navigate an evolving landscape of oversight and community relations.
