Concerns Over Health Issues Linked to Cryptocurrency Mining
Residents living in a Texas town located southwest of Dallas are raising concerns about health issues they believe are linked to a nearby cryptocurrency mining site operated by MARA Holdings. In a recent video released by More Perfect Union, journalist Dan Lieberman interviewed several community members from Granbury, many of whom reside within a mile of MARA’s substantial 300-megawatt Bitcoin mining operation.
Impact on Quality of Life
Long-term residents and retirees described their quality of life as severely impacted, with one elderly individual stating,
“The headaches never go away,”
as the operations’ noise could be clearly heard.
Background of the Mining Facility
The mining facility, situated in an unincorporated section of Hood County, began construction in 2022 under the name Compute North, before the company filed for bankruptcy later that same year. MARA Holdings took over the site in January 2024.
Noise and Legal Action
Mandy DeRoche, a deputy managing attorney from the environmental law group Earthjustice, explained that the noise produced is not typical but rather a persistent low-frequency sound, which residents find particularly oppressive compared to conventional noise, such as traffic. As complaints accumulated, a collective of individuals affected by the noise filed a lawsuit against MARA, previously known as Marathon Digital, in October 2024, attributing various health issues to the relentless noise, including worsening existing conditions, hospitalizations, and even the death of a horse.
Company’s Financial Moves and Community Response
While Cointelegraph sought comments from MARA and Earthjustice, there was no response from either party by the time of reporting. On Wednesday, MARA announced plans to issue up to $1 billion in convertible senior notes, part of which is intended for securing Bitcoin. At that moment, the company held around 50,000 BTC, translating to approximately $6 billion.
Political Engagement and Local Sentiments
The community’s struggle comes against a backdrop of increasing political engagement from the cryptocurrency sector, exemplified by a meeting between crypto mining executives and Trump’s presidential campaign team prior to the lawsuit. Despite dissatisfaction among locals about the mining activities, some residents expressed conflicted feelings about their political choices, indicating a concern that their health issues have been overlooked amidst broader discussions of cryptocurrency benefits.
Although the Republican-led Congress under Trump has yet to pass specific legislation on Bitcoin mining, recent weeks have seen movement on bills pertaining to stablecoins and digital currencies, alongside an executive order from March aimed at establishing national cryptocurrency and Bitcoin reserves in the U.S.
