Petition for Transparency, Accountability, Fair Utility Rates, and Environmental Protection in Jellico, Tennessee We, the undersigned residents of Jellico, Tennessee, respectfully call for an independent investigation into Jellico Utilities Authority and the impacts of Bitcoin mining on our community.
Over the past year, many residents have experienced dramatic increases in electric bills, creating serious hardship for families, seniors, and low‑income households.
Jellico is a small rural town with a high poverty rate, and rising utility costs disproportionately harm those who can least afford them.
Bitcoin mining operations place large, constant demand on electric systems, which rural utilities are not designed to absorb without passing costs onto residents.
These operations also raise environmental concerns, including increased energy consumption, higher fuel use, and greater strain on regional power generation. HEALTH CONCERNS RESOURCE DEPLETION AND CONTAMINATION!!!
Rural communities often bear the long‑term environmental and infrastructure impacts, while receiving few local jobs or economic benefits.
We demand full transparency regarding utility rate structures, industrial power usage, fuel cost adjustments, and any agreements related to Bitcoin mining.
We call on local and state authorities to review utility practices, environmental impacts, and cost allocation affecting residential customers.
We ask for immediate action to lower utility bills and protect residents from unfair financial and environmental burdens.
By signing below, we affirm that accountability, transparency, environmental stewardship, and the well‑being of Jellico residents must come first.