North Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - North Tonawanda residents shared their thoughts on a bill Tuesday that would block Digihost, a crypto-mining company, from constructing a micro nuclear reactor in specific zones.
The proposed bill would place restrictions on constructing and operation new coal, natural gas, hydro, wind and nuclear energy facilities. During a common council meeting on Tuesday, Acting Mayor Austin Tylec says the bill is not to oppose energy innovation, but to ensure the city is not exposed to any risks.
"As public understanding and regulatory clarity continues to evolve, the city will remain open to revisiting these laws in order to thoughtfully embrace new technology or new energy opportunities while ensuring they align with the needs and values of our community."
One resident, a former New York State Supreme Court Justice and state attorney, Richard Klock, warned the council to listen to their attorney every step of the way and said they simply can't tell a company not to do something if a higher court has already ruled on it.
"You want to work quickly, but by all means, make sure what you pass is going to be correct as soon as you can. What you should do is say, 'if you're going to do this, if you're going to have a wind turbine, a solar farm, a nuclear power plant, if you're going to have this, you're going to have it where we tell you,'" stated Klock.
Some residents that spoke during the meeting like the idea of a "nuclear-free zone," but say they are concerned with nuclear waste and how it's going to be disposed of.
"What happens to the spent fuel, which is highly radioactive and will continue to be for hundreds or 1000s of years in a city situated near the Niagara River, Erie Canal and Tonawanda Creek. Contamination of local waterways and our source drinking water is a serious concern. Can we trust Digihost's partner in this, NANO Nuclear. NANO is the subject of a class action securities fraud lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges they made false and misleading statements about its progress towards regulatory approval and commercialization of its micro reactors and its fuel fabrication plant," stated one resident.
