Cryptocurrency mining company Diversified Energy left behind unplugged wells and regulatory violations at a natural gas-powered mining site in Elk County, Pennsylvania. The Longhorn Pad A site was brought back to life in 2022 by Diversified for crypto mining, but they did not initially obtain an air quality permit. Despite later receiving the permit, an inspection in March 2025 revealed that the company had removed the mining infrastructure, leading to a violation notice for well abandonment. Diversified claimed the site was not abandoned and may resume gas production, but environmental advocates argue they have not fulfilled their obligations. The company's business model of acquiring aging wells without proper decommissioning plans has raised concerns. Diversified agreed to plug 3,000 wells by 2034 in a legal settlement but faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny. In a separate incident, a proposal for a crypto mining facility in Vilonia, Arkansas, was rejected due to resident opposition. Read more AI-generated news on: https://app.chaingpt.org/news