The confrontation between the residents of Hood County and one of the largest mining sites in the state revealed hidden social costs of the crypto industry in the USA.
The conflict centers around the property of MARA Holdings (formerly Marathon Digital), located near the town of Granbury. For four years, homeowners have been trying to limit the operation of the facility, which they believe disrupts the conditions of normal living.
The impact of acoustic load on everyday life
The main complaint of the population has been the continuous low-frequency hum coming from the cooling systems of computing power. The facility began operations in 2022 near a gas power plant. Since then, the intensity of background noise has significantly increased due to the expansion of the site. Local residents compare this sound to being constantly on an airport runway.
Citizens report chronic headaches, stress, and sleep disturbances. A recent Al Jazeera report highlights that for many residents of the district, the situation has become physically exhausting. Meanwhile, MARA representatives state that activities are conducted within the legal framework, and the company is actively implementing technologies to reduce noise levels.
Texas has become the largest hub for cryptocurrency mining in the USA, concentrating around 30% of the country's capacity by 2023. The reasons for this growth are cheap electricity, low taxes, and soft regulation. However, the rapid development of the industry has faced legal peculiarities of local self-government.
According to state law, county authorities are deprived of the power to introduce mandatory noise control regulations. Such rights are exclusively held by cities. Attempts by officials from Hood County to use criminal code articles on 'unreasonable noise' to impose fines have not succeeded in the courts. Courts found the current evidence insufficient to qualify the company's actions as an offense.
In turn, MARA management emphasizes its role as a major investor and employer. According to official statements, the company has invested over $320 million in the region's economy. The enterprise provides jobs and generates significant tax revenues for the local budget.
To reduce dissatisfaction, the company has taken a number of technical steps:
Installation of massive acoustic barriers around the perimeter of the facility.
Replacement of some fans on models with reduced noise levels.
Transition to liquid immersion cooling systems.
However, for some homeowners, these measures remain insufficient. Residents point to a decline in the market value of their lands, which has become almost impossible to sell against the backdrop of industrial proximity.
Voting results and prospects of lawsuits
In 2025, an initiative group attempted to officially register the community as an urban settlement. This status would allow residents to adopt municipal laws and establish strict decibel thresholds. Despite widespread publicity and legal disputes surrounding the referendum, voters ultimately rejected the incorporation proposal.
The organizers of the protest movement acknowledged defeat in the issue of changing the administrative status. However, they intend to continue the fight in civil courts. Currently, there is a private lawsuit regarding a disturbance of public order. The plaintiffs demand the disclosure of the company's operational data and a full assessment of the vibrational impact.
