With support from the Fund, Streetlight, a nonprofit news outlet, found that a Muskogee, Oklahoma, data center has received workplace safety and state environmental violations while using millions of gallons of municipal water a day. The Bitcoin mining facility run by Polaris is part of a race to bring more data centers to Oklahoma as technology companies double down on AI and cryptocurrency. Streetlight reported that Oklahomans have criticized the arrival of data centers for their use of electricity and water, and the facilities also affect public health due to their reliance on diesel backup generators.
Grantee examines Bitcoin mining facility in Oklahoma that received OSHA fines in race to build data centers
