Community Response to Cryptocurrency Mining Disturbances
In Hood County, Texas, a community effort is underway to address ongoing disturbances created by a nearby cryptocurrency mining operation run by MARA Holdings. Residents have grown increasingly frustrated as their noise complaints have gone largely unaddressed since the company’s establishment in the area in 2023. As a response to this situation, homeowners are mobilizing to incorporate their neighborhood into a city.
Proposed City and Noise Ordinance
The proposed city, named Mitchell Bend after the adjacent highway, is set to be voted on in November. Should the initiative pass, the new city would obtain the authority to implement a noise ordinance. This would enable locals to push for a reduction in the disruptive noises emanating from the mining site.
Ongoing Noise Issues
Despite actions taken by MARA Holdings to mitigate the noise, such as erecting a lengthy sound barrier in early 2024 and upgrading some of their cooling systems, residents report that the intrusive sounds persist. Measurements indicate that noise levels hover just below the state limit of 85 decibels, comparable to the sound of a household blender or garbage disposal.
Company’s Concerns and Economic Impact
MARA Holdings has voiced its concerns about the incorporation proposal, suggesting that the initiative is being spearheaded by individuals who do not reside within the proposed boundaries for the new city. The company has expressed that these actions are intended to create obstacles for its Granbury operations, while also highlighting the economic benefits its presence brings, including job creation and increased tax revenues for the local community.
Health Concerns and Legal Action
This conflict between cryptocurrency mining operations and local residents is part of a broader trend in Texas, where tensions are rising. The persistent noise from mining activities has raised health concerns among neighboring Granbury residents, who attribute various health issues, including sleep disruption and increased stress, to the constant low-frequency noise from the facility’s cooling systems and generators.
In a notable development, residents of Granbury took legal action against MARA Holdings in October 2024, claiming that the noise pollution from the company’s operations has adversely affected their emotional and physical well-being.
