While environmental damage caused by AI data centers has become an issue in various regions, damage caused by Bitcoin mining facilities is also on the rise. One such example is Lake Superior Academy, located in Duffer Township on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This tuition-free Montessori school serves approximately 100 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, and its educational philosophy centers on spending several hours each day learning outdoors. That educational approach is now being hindered.
In March 2025, a Bitcoin mining facility began operations across the street. Most of the noise is believed to come from the fans used to cool the machinery. Outdoor classes were moved indoors, and birdwatching was no longer possible. Plans for a 40-student expansion were put on hold, and it is said that some children with special needs even covered their ears.
On the building permit application, the box labeled “warehouse, etc.” was checked as the building’s intended use. Bob Brown, the county district chief, stated that the “warehouse” classification is appropriate and that there are no provisions in the county district’s zoning regulations prohibiting mining. Even during the planning stage, the developer had explained to the county district that they intended to build a warehouse.
Republican Michael Carbonara, a Florida businessman running for the U.S. House of Representatives, submitted the application and checked the box for “warehouse, etc.” in the “intended use” section. According to Michigan Public, a local public radio station, he is listed as the landowner on both the application and the county’s real estate records. How will voters feel about someone involved in a facility that threatens their children’s learning environment running for national office?
It has also been reported that Cloverland Electric, the cooperative that supplies power to this region, sought to attract mining facilities to boost its revenue and was involved in bringing this facility to the area. With its cold climate, which makes it easy to cool the equipment, and low electricity rates, this region is an attractive location for businesses.
Since there were no regulations in place to enforce compliance, the school had no choice but to file a lawsuit on its own. The court ordered a temporary suspension of operations, but the lawsuit is still ongoing.
The federal government is involved in setting operational rules for the power grid as they pertain to AI data centers and Bitcoin mining facilities. However, regulations designed to protect the lives of nearby residents are currently left to the states and local governments. Measures are beginning to be implemented across the country, and in the first half of 2026 alone, more than 300 state bills related to data centers were introduced.
In June 2026, the New York State Legislature passed a bill suspending permits for large data centers with a capacity of 20 megawatts or more for one year. While I understand the need for AI data centers, I hope that detailed regulations will be put in place promptly to protect residents’ livelihoods.
