Source: Cointelegraph
Original: “Arkansas City Rejects Crypto Mining After Community Pushback”
After strong opposition from residents, the planning commission of Vilonia, Arkansas, unanimously rejected a proposal to establish cryptocurrency mining facilities within the city limits.
According to local media reports, the decision was made after weeks of community protests. During this time, citizens expressed concerns about the potential noise pollution, increased energy consumption, and overall environmental impact that cryptocurrency mining operations could bring.
During a public meeting, residents of Vilonia voiced worries that mining operations could disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the small town and put pressure on local infrastructure.
Many cited examples where similar facilities in other areas led to increased electricity costs and continuous noise from mining equipment.
One community member told THV11, "I just want to ask, was it a mistake for us to move here? We didn’t invite these people here. I grew up here; I’m a graduate of Vilonia. We are the Natural State of Arkansas, not the Bitcoin State of Arkansas."
Vilonia has previously faced cryptocurrency mining projects. In past years, residents expressed a lack of interest in accommodating miners, citing concerns over long-term sustainability and limited local economic benefits.
In 2023, the city’s planning commission rejected Vilo AR's application to build a crypto mining facility in town and permanently revoked its permit.
That same year, residents of Vilonia strongly opposed a proposed cryptocurrency mining facility by Green Digital near residential areas, citing concerns over the noise generated by high-powered mining computers and potential political connections.
In 2024, the Arkansas legislature passed two bills restricting cryptocurrency mining in the state.
In January of this year, an Arkansas lawmaker proposed a bill to prohibit cryptocurrency mining operations within 30 miles of any U.S. military facility in the state.
The Senate bill (SB 60), introduced by Senator Ricky Hill and House Speaker Brian Evans, aimed to amend the 2023 Arkansas Data Center Act to ensure that cryptocurrency mining facilities are located away from military installations.
However, the Arkansas Senate Committee on City, County, and Local Affairs ultimately rejected the bill.
Arkansas's opposition to cryptocurrency mining centers reflects a growing trend of stricter scrutiny of cryptocurrency mining projects by local governments across the United States.
In October 2024, a group of residents in Granbury, Texas, filed a lawsuit against Marathon Digital, alleging that its mining facility generated excessive noise.
The lawsuit claims that residents experienced physical symptoms due to the noise, including fatigue, headaches, nausea, hearing loss, memory issues, and even psychological problems.
Related: Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, rated as the most cryptocurrency-friendly city in the world.
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