Arkansas Senate rejects mining facility zoning restriction bill

Key Points

  • The Arkansas Senate's City, County and Local Affairs Committee rejected a bill that would ban crypto mining facilities within a 30-mile radius of military installations.
  • The bill cited national security risks, noise pollution, and sustainability concerns as reasons for the proposed zoning restrictions.
  • Similar concerns about environmental impact and noise pollution from crypto mining have been raised by lawmakers and communities across the US.

Summary

The Arkansas Senate's City, County and Local Affairs Committee recently voted 5 to 1 against a bill that aimed to restrict the zoning of cryptocurrency mining facilities near military installations in the state. The proposed legislation highlighted potential national security risks, noise pollution, and sustainability issues associated with these mining operations, particularly when located close to sensitive military sites. This rejection comes amidst a broader national conversation about the environmental and security implications of crypto mining. For instance, in April 2022, concerns were raised by 23 US lawmakers about the environmental compliance of mining operations. Additionally, in May 2024, former President Joe Biden ordered the removal of a mining facility near a US nuclear missile installation in Wyoming due to national security concerns. More recently, in October 2024, residents in Granbury, Texas, filed a lawsuit against a mining company, MARA, over excessive noise pollution causing various health issues. These events underline the ongoing tension between the growth of cryptocurrency mining and its impact on local communities and national security.

cointelegraph
January 30, 2025
Crypto
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