National security and noise pollution are at the center of the debate: halt to mining farms within 30 miles of military bases.
On January 15, Senator Ricky Hill and Speaker of the House Brian Evans from Arkansas introduced Senate Bill 60, a proposal aimed at banning Bitcoin mining operations within a 30-mile radius of military bases, camps, hospitals, clinics, and arsenals in the state.
The legislation, which seeks to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023, would have an immediate impact on the local mining landscape, particularly affecting the project by Interstate Holdings near the Little Rock Air Force Base in Cabot. However, the proposal includes a safeguard clause for facilities already operating before December 31 of last year.
Highlighting the concerns that motivated the proposal, Senator Hill stated:
“Why did they choose this site less than five miles from our airbase? This is a national security issue.”
The Mayor of Cabot, Ken Kincade, added the issue of noise pollution to the debate, stressing “the negative effects on people, pets, wildlife, and the general well-being of the community.”
The proposal has faced strong opposition from Interstate Holdings. The company’s Vice President, Dustin Curtis, criticized the legislative initiative, pointing out that “this bill would make Arkansas the only state in America with such a law.” Curtis also defended the Cabot project, assuring that the facility would comply with all state and federal regulations on noise, environmental impact, and safety.
Last May, the Biden administration had already prevented a China-linked mining company from operating near a military base in Wyoming.
