Residents, officials raise concerns about Bitcoin-mining installations near substations

Multiple public commenters and committee members raised concerns about Bitcoin-mining equipment installed near county substations and how those installations were sited and communicated to local governments. Tim Holtan described the background of the installations, noting the equipment was placed near power to reduce electrical loss and that the units were energized and operating. Committee members and attendees discussed capital-credit arrangements and whether installers had appropriate work authorizations; meeting minutes record it was confirmed the installers had visas.

Ownership and corporate-arrangement questions surfaced repeatedly. Attendees asked who installed and paid for transformers; minutes state Riverland installed transformers while Anovary paid for them and the labor time to install. Several speakers questioned whether Anovary is a separate company or a shell operating under Riverland; Tim Holtan countered that Anovary and Riverland maintain separate physical controls and that "Anovary is separate from Riverland and they each have their own fence and own key, and Anovary is not in control of the grid." The committee noted there is no local statutory definition of "Bitcoin operation" and that rezoning is parcel-specific rather than town-wide. The committee tabled rezone items pending additional documentation and staff follow-up.