Michaela
Residents of rural Hood County, Texas, have launched an initiative to restore peace to their community after repeated noise complaints against a nearby crypto mining facility operated by MARA Holdings went unresolved.
Key points:
- Hood County residents plan to vote on creating the city of Mitchell Bend to gain authority to enforce noise ordinances against MARA Holdings’ crypto mining facility.
- Despite MARA Holdings’ efforts to reduce noise, including building a 2,000-foot soundproof wall and upgrading cooling systems, residents report persistent noise near state limits.
- Local residents have filed a lawsuit against MARA Holdings, citing health issues linked to prolonged exposure to industrial noise from the Bitcoin mining operations.
According to a report from Fox 7 Austin, the crypto mining company, which established operations in Hood County in 2023, has prompted residents to take action. Homeowners are now pursuing efforts to incorporate their neighborhood into a city.
In November, residents will vote on whether to establish the city of Mitchell Bend, named after the nearby Mitchell Bend Highway. If approved, incorporation would grant the community authority to enact a noise ordinance, a move residents hope will compel the mining facility to reduce its disruptive operations.
Hood County residents reported repeatedly requesting the crypto mining facility to address ongoing noise issues. In response, the company in 2024 extended a 2,000-foot-long, 24-foot-tall soundproofing wall and replaced some cooling fans with an immersion cooling system. Despite these measures, residents say the noise persists. Decibel readings taken by neighbors register just below the state limit of 85 decibels, roughly the volume of a food blender or garbage disposal.
MARA Holdings has defended its operations in Hood County, sending a letter to the county judge in August requesting the invalidation of the ballot measure. The company claimed that some petition signers reside outside the proposed city limits. In a statement to the Texas Tribune, MARA acknowledged that “a few residents are trying to create a new town” to “negatively impact its Granbury facility,” while emphasizing the economic benefits it brings, including job creation and increased tax revenue for the surrounding community.
Conflicts between Texas residents and crypto mining operations are on the rise, with Granbury locals reporting health problems they attribute to constant noise from a nearby MARA Holdings Bitcoin facility.
Extended exposure to industrial noise from Bitcoin mining operations has been associated with various health concerns. Specialists warn that residents near these facilities may suffer from disrupted sleep, elevated stress, and a higher risk of heart-related conditions due to the constant low-frequency hum of cooling systems and generators.
In October 2024, a group of Granbury residents filed a lawsuit against MARA Holdings, claiming that ongoing noise from the company’s Bitcoin mining facility has led to emotional, psychological, sensory, and physical health problems.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
