A North Texas resident’s proposal to incorporate a city near a bustling Bitcoin facility failed after 62% of 138 voters cast their votes Tuesday night. The 62% turnout ended years of frustration among residents of a rural Texas community over Bitcoin mining operations.
voters cast Their ballots can be found at 11 voting centers. There were more than 17 initiatives in the election, each with a “yes” and “no” option, giving voters a variety of issues to consider.
Residents battle noise from Bitcoin facility in Texas
After a cryptocurrency facility managed by MARA Holdings (formerly known as Marathon) was built in 2022, rural communities in Texas began complaining about noise. Around 60,000 computers were running on powerful industrial fans at the site, with their deafening roar disrupting the tranquility of their rural neighborhood, locals claim.
Local residents have approached the factory several times to address the noise issue. In response, the Bitcoin facility expanded its 6,000-foot-long, 24-foot-high soundproof wall last year.
The plant also installed an immersion cooling system to replace most cooling fans. MARA claims that liquid-based technology has replaced 67% of fans.
Local residents claim the power plant is doing little to reduce noise. Neighbors measured the noise level using a decibel reader and found it was just below the state-wide limit of 85 decibels.
However, a county-funded third-party study found that noise levels ranged from 35 to 53 decibels in homes within a mile of the plant, and about 60 decibels near the facility.
According to local news outlet The Texas Tribune, the Texas county Not enough Jurisdiction that enforces noise regulations. Local residents campaigned to consolidate the roughly 2-square-mile town to reduce noise from the Bitcoin factory. The town has about 600 residents and one stop sign heading into the city of Mitchell Bend. According to the paper, local residents had hoped that becoming a city would allow them to pass noise laws.
Danny Lakey, who lives in Hood County a half-mile from the Bitcoin Ministry, said residents want to have tools to help combat the noise. “We suffered a loss here, but we’re going to move forward and we’re going to continue to do everything we can to keep industry from taking over Hood County,” he said. Lakey.
The Tribune said the dispute with MARA has led to internal conflict among some residents who are considering whether to form a city. Many residents claimed to have moved to the countryside to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and its regulations.
MARA welcomes defeat in vote
MARA applauded the rejection of the ballot measure. A MARA representative said company executives were pleased that Hood County voters recognized the fake incorporation attempt and voted it down.
MARA representatives added that the facility remains committed to supporting the local community, creating jobs and acting as a responsible neighbor. The representative added that since purchasing the Bitcoin mine in 2024, the company has spent millions of dollars improving it.
The spokesperson claimed that despite persistent false claims, independent acoustic studies, including one conducted by Hood County government, confirmed that the plant was still operating well below county and state legal acoustic limits.
The voting failure followed a series of lawsuits involving local residents and MARA, which operates at least three other venues in Texas. Last month, the factory filed a lawsuit seeking to block the election, arguing that corporatization would have a negative impact on business.
MARA’s lawsuit accused Hood County officials of “colluding” with voters to conduct the election and called the election “illegal.” The power plant’s request was denied by Judge Reed O’Connor, allowing the vote to proceed.
In his ruling, O’Connor said the order was denied because MARA Holdings failed to demonstrate a significant risk of causing irreparable injury. The judgment emphasized that such a preliminary injunction is not contrary to the public interest.
