Residents in a localized area of Hood County, Texas, have unsuccessfully attempted to establish a new municipality as a means to regulate the noise emanating from a nearby Bitcoin mining facility. The proposal, which aimed to create the municipality of "Mitchell Bend," covering a two-square-mile area with approximately 600 inhabitants, did not garner sufficient support from voters.
According to a report from The Texas Tribune, only 38% of the 138 voters cast their ballots in favor of the incorporation. For roughly three years, local residents have voiced concerns about the disruptive noise generated by MARA's 60,000 Bitcoin miners. These machines are integral to securing Bitcoin's network, which has a valuation of $2 trillion.
The persistent noise has led to reported instances of sleepless nights, headaches, and hearing issues among residents, with some individuals choosing to relocate. In response to these complaints, MARA has undertaken measures to mitigate the noise. These efforts include extending a 24-foot wall designed to block sound and converting two-thirds of its cooling fans to a liquid cooling system.
Despite these adjustments, residents maintain that the noise remains a significant issue, which fueled their initiative to incorporate Mitchell Bend. This proposed municipality would represent a small fraction of the nearly 70,000 people residing in Hood County.
MARA's Legal Challenge to the Vote
MARA had previously initiated legal action in late October, filing a lawsuit to prevent the vote from taking place. The company argued that the incorporation of Mitchell Bend as a city would negatively impact its operations and could potentially lead to taxation that would force it out of business. Although this legal request was ultimately denied, a spokesperson for MARA conveyed satisfaction with the electoral outcome.
“We’re pleased that Hood County voters saw through the sham incorporation effort and rejected it at the ballot box.”
Residents Vow to Continue Their Fight for Peace
Hood County resident Danny Lakey acknowledged the disappointing election result but stated that it would not deter them from exploring alternative avenues to address the noise issue. He expressed a commitment to ongoing efforts to prevent the industrialization of Hood County.
“Although we took a loss here, we are going to move forward and we will continue to do what we can to not let industry take over Hood County.”
Previously, residents in the area had pursued legal action against MARA and its site manager, David Fischer, concerning noise violations. However, these attempts did not result in a successful resolution for the complainants.
In a separate but related development, the planning commission of Vilonia, Arkansas, unanimously rejected a proposal to establish a crypto mining facility in April. This decision followed significant opposition from local residents.