Arkansas Residents Sue Over Unbearable Bitcoin Mining Noise Hell

Amidst the tranquil countryside of Bono, Arkansas, residents are embroiled in a battle against the relentless noise from a neighboring bitcoin mining facility. The incessant hum of 17,000 computer fans has caused severe disruptions, affecting their well-being, property values, and peace of mind. Despite reaching out to local and state officials, residents have faced an impasse due to the influence of cryptocurrency, leaving them with no choice but to file a lawsuit to protect their quality of life.

Bitcoin Mining Nightmare: Residents Sue Amidst Unbearable Noise and Health Concerns

For seven arduous years, Gladys Anderson found solace in her dream home in Bono, Arkansas, relishing the tranquility of rural living. However, her peace was shattered last May when a thunderous cacophony descended upon her neighborhood - the incessant roar of 17,000 computer fans whirring relentlessly from a neighboring bitcoin mining facility.

"It's torture, a form of military-grade torture," Anderson exclaimed in despair. The deafening noise, often exceeding 80 decibels (equivalent to a hair dryer), has wreaked havoc on her hearing, blood pressure, and her family's well-being.

The deafening assault has extended beyond Anderson's home. Her neighbor, Shane Markuson, has meticulously documented the unbearable noise levels, reporting readings as high as 82 decibels. The constant bombardment has not only impacted his hearing but has also exacerbated his migraines and heightened his blood pressure.

The residents' pleas for respite have fallen on deaf ears. Anderson and her neighbors have bombarded county and state officials with complaints, even reaching out to the governor's office - all to no avail. "Money," Anderson laments, "it's all about money."

The culprit behind this technological nightmare is cryptocurrency, specifically bitcoin mining. Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency, requires vast computational power to validate transactions - a process handled by legions of computers run by miners. In exchange for their efforts, miners receive rewards in the form of newly minted bitcoins, often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

However, the immense computational demands of bitcoin mining come with a hefty price - a staggering consumption of power and the generation of deafening noise. Last year, Arkansas passed the "Right to Mine" bill, effectively preventing local communities from regulating these operations.

State Senator Joshua Bryant, the bill's architect, touted its economic benefits, citing Arkansas's business-friendly environment, inexpensive land, and affordable energy as a "perfect combination" to lure this lucrative industry. Yet, Bryant's projections have been marred by unintended consequences, with bitcoin mining plants sprouting up in residential areas, their incessant noise tormenting neighboring communities.

"We've found that operators started operating in a manner that was not giving quiet enjoyment to the neighbors," Bryant acknowledged, emphasizing that not all bitcoin plants are intrinsically noisy.

Ben Smith, an Arkansas bitcoin miner, argues that mining plants can be designed to operate quietly, employing water-cooling systems instead of fans, situating them far from residential zones, and fully enclosing them to minimize noise pollution. Smith estimates that "roughly half the sites in Arkansas are owned by the per se bad actors" who prioritize cost-cutting over neighborly considerations.

The revelation that these noisy plants are predominantly owned by a network of Chinese companies, with possible ties to the Chinese government, has raised national security concerns. As reported by the New York Times, Chinese bitcoin mines have established operations in at least 14 states.

The "Right to Mine" bill itself is the brainchild of the Satoshi Action Fund, a bitcoin advocacy group that has been aggressively promoting similar legislation in at least 12 other states. The fund's influence has fueled the rapid proliferation of bitcoin mining plants in Arkansas, with an estimated 50 facilities currently planned.

Amidst the escalating noise pollution, Senator Bryant has conceded the need to amend the "Right to Mine" bill, stating that future operations must be held accountable for noise reduction. In the meantime, Anderson and her neighbors have taken matters into their own hands, filing a lawsuit against the offending bitcoin mining facility.

"We've set up a GoFundMe, we've done raffles, we've even sold smoked pork butts," Anderson said, recounting their community's fundraising efforts to support their legal battle. The mining facility's lawyers maintain that the volume is within local limits and have pledged to fully enclose the site within months.

Anderson remains undeterred, vowing to continue her fight against the incessant noise. "I am a very stubborn woman, and I am a very scornful woman," she declared resolutely. "I will become just as big of a headache for them because they're setting up everywhere."

The plight of the Bono residents underscores the urgent need for responsible regulation in the burgeoning bitcoin mining industry. As cryptocurrency gains traction, lawmakers must prioritize the well-being of communities by ensuring that these operations are conducted in a manner that minimizes noise pollution and other adverse environmental impacts. The right to mine should not come at the expense of the right to live in peace and tranquility.