El Reno Bitcoin Mining Facility Exposed as Unlawful Operation

A massive water leak at an El Reno Bitcoin mining facility has exposed years of unlawful operation by the company, Athlon Blockchain Technology. The city had issued a stop work order in 2023 for code violations and missing permits.

The facility, which was supposed to have a Certificate of Occupancy, continued operations despite lacking this essential document, according to Ken Brown, the interim city manager. Three million gallons of water were wasted due to the leak, with the property owners responsible for paying the $32,000 bill and any labor incurred from the city's response.

The cause of the leak is still unknown, but it may be related to a fire hydrant found on the property. The city has issued a public nuisance abatement notice to the property owners, with a hearing scheduled for September 14.