BUFFALO COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) – Major disagreements over data centers have been brewing for months across Wisconsin, but now there are growing concerns over bitcoin mining in Buffalo County.
Riverland Energy Cooperative worked to address those concerns at a meeting Wednesday night at the Waumandee Country Bar in Cochrane.
Riverland’s CEO Tim Holtan explained to a packed house of community members that the Co-op has a new addition, a bitcoin mining hosting company called Anovary.
Anovary has set up several mining sites on Riverland’s property.
While some neighbors have expressed concerns about overloading the power grid and the environmental impacts of mining, Holtan told attendees this partnership will be beneficial to the area.
“They’re not a data center where they’re on all the time, so when we need the capacity they’re willing to shut down. They pay all expenses. Riverland energy members have paid nothing. So 100% expenses upfront paid by Anovary to upgrade substations, to upgrade any equipment that we needed … so it’s really been a win-win for Riverland members”, Holtan said.
One community member in attendance, Ashley Henthorn of Gilmanton, said the meeting addressed many of her worries.
“It was good to know that this is something that’s going to be looked at annually and that it’s something that’s not going to have a negative impact on me and my family, or families, the community and the county as a whole”, Henthorn said.
Holtan added that he was glad to see such a strong turnout at the meeting, and if any neighbors or Riverland members have any concerns in the future, they are always welcome to call Riverland Energy Co-op.
Copyright 2026 WEAU. All rights reserved.
