Arkansas lawmakers have introduced a bill that would prohibit crypto mining operations within a 30-mile radius of any U.S. military facility in the state. Senate Bill 60, sponsored by Senator Ricky Hill and House Speaker Brian Evans, aims to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 to address concerns about national security and noise pollution.
The bill specifically targets a crypto mining facility being built near Little Rock Air Force Base in Cabot, Arkansas, by Interstate Holdings. Local residents and officials have raised concerns about noise pollution from the facility. Senator Hill emphasized national security concerns, while Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade cited noise disturbances impacting residents, pets, and wildlife.
Interstate Holdings has opposed the bill, arguing that it would make Arkansas an outlier and that their facility will comply with all noise and environmental regulations. They also pointed out that the facility’s noise levels will be lower than those of the nearby state highway.
This legislation follows an order from the Biden administration in May 2024 that prohibited a China-linked crypto mining firm from operating near Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. Concerns about the potential impact of foreign-owned crypto mining operations on national security and the power grid have been raised by several officials, including Senator Elizabeth Warren.
The Arkansas bill highlights the growing debate surrounding the environmental and security implications of large-scale crypto mining operations.
January 2025, Cryptoniteuae
