Residents Advocate for Local Governance in Hood County
Residents of Hood County, Texas, are advocating for local governance to address their grievances regarding a Bitcoin mining operation that has significantly impacted their daily lives. This effort, reported by KERA News on August 18, is spurred by complaints about incessant industrial noise from Marathon Digital Holdings’ mining site, which has been active for nearly three years in the unincorporated area of Mitchell Bend.
Health Concerns and Community Response
Neighbors describe the mining facility’s continuous hum as detrimental to their health, citing issues such as sleep disturbances, hearing loss, and diminished property values, with some even reporting chronic conditions like tinnitus.
In order to gain control over the mining facility, community members initiated a petition to establish Mitchell Bend as an incorporated town, a move that would grant them the authority to enforce local regulations on operations such as Bitcoin mining. However, their first petition was rejected by County Judge Ron Massingill for not meeting the state’s minimum requirement of 50 registered voters. Following this setback, residents quickly rallied to submit a revised petition by the August 18 cutoff, aiming to be included in the upcoming November ballot.
Determination to Pursue Legal Action
Shannon Wolf, a local Republican Party precinct chair, voiced her discontent with the lack of communication from county officials regarding the initial petition’s dismissal and the timeline for resubmission. Residents have expressed their determination to pursue legal action if their second attempt to incorporate fails, potentially escalating the matter to the state Supreme Court.
Legal Steps Against Marathon Digital Holdings
In parallel to their incorporation efforts, some residents have taken further legal steps against Marathon, joining lawsuits that seek to address alleged health concerns linked to the mining activities. The environmental advocacy group Earthjustice has filed an injunction citing health and environmental violations, while residents have engaged a personal injury attorney to represent their claims concerning medical issues and depreciation of property values due to the mine’s presence.
Community Voices and Future Implications
Cheryl Shadden, one of the community members vocal against the mine, stated that residents feel lawsuits or incorporation are the only viable paths to gain the necessary leverage in their situation.
Despite inquiries, officials from both Marathon Digital and Judge Massingill’s office have not provided comments on the ongoing situation.
Should the incorporation effort succeed, it would empower Mitchell Bend to formulate its own regulations governing industrial activities, reflecting a growing trend across Texas where communities are confronting the challenges posed by nearby crypto mining operations.
