A Bitcoin Mine in Texas: Impact on Local Residents
In 2021, Texas Senator Ted Cruz expressed a desire for the state to be the premier hub for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. By 2024, Governor Greg Abbott declared Texas the “bitcoin mining capital of the world.” However, in places like Granbury, Texas—located an hour southwest of Fort Worth—locals are feeling the detrimental effects of this crypto expansion. The town hosts a 300-megawatt bitcoin mine owned by Marathon Digital, a Florida-based cryptocurrency company. This facility employs liquid immersion and industrial fans to cool over 20,000 computers, but the constant hum of these fans has driven many residents to despair, claiming their complaints are largely overlooked by both the company and local officials. This issue has been highlighted in a recent episode of the podcast Working People, featuring voices from Granbury: Danny Lakey, Karen Pearson, Nick Browning, and Virginia Browning.
Residents like Danny Lakey, a newcomer to Granbury, have voiced frustration over the noise pollution disrupting their once-peaceful lives. After relocating to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, they found themselves in a louder environment due to the noise generated by the bitcoin mine. He argues that although the mine claims not to violate state laws, there are regulations about noise in residential areas that are not being enforced.
Nick Browning shares similar sentiments, revealing that the mine’s operations have negatively impacted his family’s quality of life. The overwhelming noise levels have not only disturbed their peace but have also led to various health issues within his household. His wife, originally in good health, has experienced significant medical complications, which many suspect may be connected to the mine’s noise. Virginia Browning describes their community as once vibrant with wildlife, now increasingly silent due to the disturbance caused by the mine.
As residents struggle to cope, they have begun to unite against what they describe as an environmental and health crisis. The podcast sheds light on the profound effects of noise pollution and its potential health ramifications, revealing how data centers like the Marathon mine have yet to be thoroughly studied in terms of their long-term impact on nearby communities and their residents’ health.
Despite their struggles, the residents remain determined to advocate for themselves and seek solutions. They have garnered some local support, but so far have not received substantial assistance from higher-level officials. Efforts have been made to document the noise levels legally, but the finances and resources available to them are limited compared to those of the corporate entities involved.
Ultimately, as they fight for their right to a peaceful living environment, these residents encapsulate the broader struggles of working-class communities across the country facing industrial encroachment, and they urge others to consider the human cost of the bitcoin boom. The residents of Granbury exemplify a community standing up for its rights and challenging the powers that threaten their health and well-being.
For more information about their struggle, you can visit the Protect Hood County website, where they document their journey and ongoing efforts against the bitcoin mine in their area.
