Decisions Made at the Port
In a surprising twist that no one saw coming—not even the commissioners themselves—the Port of Walla Walla, Washington, has decided to step into the digital age by approving a land lease and purchase option for a cryptocurrency mining project. Yes, you heard that right! The Bidain subsidiary Ant Creek LLC is set to kick off a small-scale operation on 10 acres, following a heated debate that lasted an hour and a half. The fact that all commissioners agreed unanimously means one of two things: either they really love cryptocurrency, or they just really love a good debate.
The Lease Deal: What’s on the Table?
The commissioners made it clear that while they are cautiously optimistic about this venture, they decided to pull the brakes on an additional 30 acres of land for sale. This initial 10-acre setup will allow Ant Creek to establish their operations and determine if expansion is on the horizon. However, the project must also win over the local community’s support, which might just be the hardest task of all, especially with electric bills that could be more shocking than their previous debates.
Concerns Over Power Consumption
As with any shiny new project, especially one involving cryptocurrency, concerns are swirling around like a tornado in a trailer park. The crux of the issue? Electricity. Many residents are worried that Ant Creek’s consumption may rival that of 24,000 households. One critic in the audience put it bluntly: “It extracts electricity and creates wealth for the owner with no trickle down.” The passion was palpable, but hey, everybody loves a good Facetime chat about energy consumption, right?
Support From Electric Officials
Enter Les Tell, CEO of the Columbia Rural Electric Association. He stepped into the fray with an air of assurance, declaring that their co-op has the capacity to meet the demands of the project. “No matter what happens a year from now or five years from now, we are fully protected,” he stated, presumably while wearing a superhero cape. The assurance is comforting, though it does raise the question: what else could they do with all that power aside from mining the digital gold?
Road to Access and Future Uncertainty
Aside from the electricity talk, the lease would bring in a nice monthly rent of $4,701, plus a 12.84 percent state leasehold tax. Also, Ant Creek has promised to pony up for a $2.5 million road to ensure easy access to the property. However, as the dust settles, uncertainty looms regarding whether Ant Creek will go through with the 10-acre plan as the terms need their approval. Ant Creek’s operations director left the meeting without sharing any hints, almost as if he was in a game of poker with a very high stake.
Other Local Developments in Crypto
Just a few miles away, the Chelan Public Utility District has been grappling with its own crypto difficulties, having recently discovered unauthorized mining operations. As a result, there’s a halt on any further developments while they evaluate what the future holds for crypto in the area. So while Walla Walla may be lighting up with crypto ambitions, its neighbors are cautiously treading the waters. One thing is for sure—it’s shaping up to be an electrifying saga.
