{"id":426300,"date":"2022-04-04T14:14:59","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T11:14:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/why-is-a-guatemalan-mayor-mining-bitcoin-tackling-fud-with-biogas-and-btc\/"},"modified":"2022-04-04T14:14:59","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T11:14:59","slug":"why-is-a-guatemalan-mayor-mining-bitcoin-tackling-fud-with-biogas-and-btc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-is-a-guatemalan-mayor-mining-bitcoin-tackling-fud-with-biogas-and-btc\/","title":{"rendered":"# Why is a Guatemalan Mayor mining Bitcoin? Tackling FUD with biogas and BTC"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a412ae2d0916\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a412ae2d0916\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/why-is-a-guatemalan-mayor-mining-bitcoin-tackling-fud-with-biogas-and-btc\/#%E2%80%9D_Why_is_a_Guatemalan_Mayor_mining_Bitcoin_Tackling_FUD_with_biogas_and_BTC_%E2%80%9C\" >&#8221; Why is a Guatemalan Mayor mining Bitcoin? Tackling FUD with biogas and BTC   &#8220;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9D_Why_is_a_Guatemalan_Mayor_mining_Bitcoin_Tackling_FUD_with_biogas_and_BTC_%E2%80%9C\"><\/span>&#8221; Why is a Guatemalan Mayor mining Bitcoin? Tackling FUD with biogas and BTC   &#8220;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div class=\"post-content\" data-v-2a0745c6>The Bitcoin (BTC) community is at it again, dismantling FUD and orange-pilling officials in far-flung destinations.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At the foot of Lake Atitl\u00e1n, a bucolic yet <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/livingcost.org\/cost\/guatemala\/panajachel\">impoverished<\/a> region of Guatemala, a Bitcoin project has managed to get a miner into the hands of the local mayor. The process has boosted local incomes while also improving the air quality.<\/p>\n<p>In Panajachel, Guatemala a community of almost 20,000 people is coming around to Bitcoin after the local mayor, Cesar Piedrasanta was gifted an old S9 Bitcoin miner. It\u2019s the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/67corvette.medium.com\/bitcoin-lake-full-steam-ahead-a27f92260734\">first<\/a> municipality in Central or South America to mine BTC. <\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.cointelegraph.com\/uploads\/2022-04\/76556c11-a556-4e18-8c0f-4c7b5f48f8e6.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><figcaption style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Bill Whittaker and\u00a0Patrick Melder presenting the Mayor with a miner. Source: Medium67corvette<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While this is exceptional in itself, there are two important consequences. Firstly, mining with a \u201c5-year old\u201d miner helps to \u201caddress the electronic waste (or \u2018e-waste\u2019) narrative associated with bitcoin mining,\u201d Bill Whittaker, part of the Bitcoin Lake team, told Cointelegraph. <\/p>\n<p>E-waste refers to the replacement of physical mining infrastructure with newer, more efficient models. A New York moratorium on mining recently addressed the reported issue recently, and a report by <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science<\/a> Direct claims that one Bitcoin transaction produces 272 grams of e-waste due to mostly old mining equipment. However, the Guatemala Mayor is managing just fine with his old S9.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, with the proceeds from the Bitcoin miner, the team hopes to resolve issues affecting the wastewater treatment plant. <\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.cointelegraph.com\/uploads\/2022-04\/02ccf011-e153-4eff-a3de-cc2e3f87603d.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><figcaption style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The wastewater treatment plant where the first two s17s miners will be plugged in. Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The waste treatment plant (WWTP) is a heavy polluter \u201cdue to cracked seals located on top of the plant&#8217;s digester, there is not enough pressure to flare the plant&#8217;s methane emissions.\u201d As a result, the unpleasant and smelly pollutants are contaminating the air.<\/p>\n<p>Whittaker and the team intend to repair the WWTP, then capture the biogas that used to leak to be used as a power source for energy generation. It&#8217;s a win-win-win:\u00a0 cleaner air,\u00a0renewable energy, more Bitcoin.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">3\/ <br \/>&#8211; Re-flaring of the WWTP&#8217;s methane byproduct will not only improve air quality, but will allow for a controlled capture and analysis of the plant&#8217;s biogas production.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Use Panajachel&#8217;s WWTPs biogas to produce electricity and power additional Bitcoin miners. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/CV9CWF6LYW\">pic.twitter.com\/CV9CWF6LYW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 WildBTC (@BillWhittaker11) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BillWhittaker11\/status\/1508264220139429894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 28, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Whittaker expounds, \u201cpoorer countries\/municipalities do not have the resources to generate expensive fossil-fuel electricity, but they do generate plenty of methane-producing waste.\u201d This waste can not only mine Bitcoin but consequently generate a monetary return for the local people:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>\u201cThe goal of this proof-of-concept is to capture the wasted fuel and convert the biogas into electricity\/bitcoin.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Biogas as a power source for Bitcoin mining is growing in popularity: a Slovakian Bitcoin miner puts the waste to work, while the Guatemalan project is only just flexing its muscles.<\/p>\n<p>Whittaker is keen to highlight the \u201creal stars of the show\u201d involved in the project: two high school seniors called Madaket and Kate. They \u201ccame up with the idea of focusing on sustainable bitcoin mining for their high school senior project\u201d. <\/p>\n<p><strong><em><u>Related: <\/u><\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Gas heater broke down? I&#8217;ll just heat my caravan with a Bitcoin miner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In this Instagram <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tv\/Cbvh9w-pM-n\/?utm_medium=copy_link\">video<\/a>, they explain how Bitcoin is \u201cthe future currency.\u201d It&#8217;s clear the girls are determined to undermine the negative misconceptions associated with Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining. Whittaker says \u201cthey will present the town of Panajachel two additional ASIC machines (s17+). These machines will be powered up at the waste treatment plant.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.cointelegraph.com\/uploads\/2022-04\/2ed246fe-bd64-4599-acc6-821ca8b5464f.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><figcaption style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Madaket and Kate working on the Bitcoin miner to bring down to Guatemala. Source: Twitter<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ultimately, capturing cheap wasted energy is the name of the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> when it comes to small-scale Bitcoin mining. Even Senator Ted Cruz says Bitcoin miners do well to capture wasted resources and put them to good use.<\/p>\n<p>For Whittaker, projects such as mining in Panajachel show just how impactful grassroots movements from the Bitcoin community can be:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Greenpeace and Chris Larsen spend $5mm on &#8216;change the code&#8217; FUD, these two girls are self-funding carbon-negative bitcoin mining R&amp;D, while at the same time making the decentralized network stronger and wider.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><template data-name=\"subscription_form\" data-type=\"markets_outlook\"><\/template><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/general\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/why-is-a-guatemalan-mayor-mining-bitcoin-tackling-fud-with-biogas-and-btc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8221; Why is a Guatemalan Mayor mining Bitcoin? Tackling FUD with biogas and BTC &#8220; The Bitcoin (BTC) community is at it again, dismantling FUD and orange-pilling officials in far-flung destinations.\u00a0 At the foot of Lake Atitl\u00e1n, a bucolic yet impoverished region of Guatemala, a Bitcoin project has managed to get a miner into the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":426301,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/images.cointelegraph.com\/images\/1200_aHR0cHM6Ly9zMy5jb2ludGVsZWdyYXBoLmNvbS91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjItMDQvODQ3YTU4MmItMTEzMC00ZWM2LThlNmEtYTIwZjllZTJlZmU4LmpwZw==.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[74862,76853,74355,117,23147],"class_list":["post-426300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-bitcoin","tag-latin-america","tag-adoption","tag-business","tag-interview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/426300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=426300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/426300\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/426301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=426300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=426300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=426300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}