Cryptocurrency mining is creating an unintended ripple effect in rural U.S. communities. In east Texas, residents are finding their peace disturbed by the noise from local bitcoin mining facilities. For many, the once quiet town of Granbury, with a population of just 12,600, is no longer the serene escape it once was.
The Sound of Progress
It started with strange noises in the summer of 2022. Shenice Copenhaver, a local resident, first heard a mechanical hum that would later become a constant companion. At first, she didn’t know it, but a nearby cryptocurrency mining facility had begun operations less than a mile from her home. Over time, the hum grew louder, making it nearly impossible to ignore.
For Copenhaver, the hum isn’t just a background noise; it’s something that vibrates her entire home. “I’ll be asleep, and everything will be fine, and then I’ll wake up because I can feel it in my chest,” she says. Her neighbor, Cheryl Shadden, describes it as sounding like standing near Niagara Falls.
A video captured by Shadden from her home in Granbury on April 23 shows a green pasture with the facility’s smoke billowing in the background, accompanied by the deafening roar of machines. The noise, according to residents, has only intensified since November. Copenhaver’s decibel reader now regularly hits between 80 and 100 decibels, a level comparable to the sound of a chainsaw.
The Rise of Crypto Mining in the U.S.
The United States has become the global leader in bitcoin mining, with at least 137 large-scale facilities across the country, most of which are located in Texas. This growth was spurred in part by China’s crackdown on the crypto industry in 2021, which led many miners to relocate. Cryptocurrency mining is now responsible for consuming up to 2.3% of the U.S. electrical grid, according to estimates by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
While President Joe Biden had previously signaled concerns over the environmental impact of crypto mining, former President Donald Trump has publicly supported the industry. Trump has advocated for bitcoin to be “mined, minted, and made in the USA,” setting the stage for an even larger expansion of mining operations across the country.
A Growing Industry with Increasing Noise
Fred Thiel, the CEO of Mara, the world’s largest bitcoin mining company, is enthusiastic about the industry’s growth. “We want to see the U.S. be the dominant bitcoin mining country in the world,” he told Fox Business. Mara, which operates a 300-megawatt facility in Granbury, has invested in expanding its operations, including acquiring a wind farm in Texas to power its mining facilities.
The company has raised millions of dollars in investments, and plans to add even more power. Mining firms across the U.S. have secured $3.7 billion in bonds since November to fund growth, and they plan to increase capacity by at least 2.42 gigawatts. That’s enough energy to power nearly 2 million U.S. homes.
However, as the industry expands, so does the noise. For many residents, the constant drone of mining equipment is a serious disturbance. Dave Simpson, who lives near a facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming, says that despite the promises of miners to be “good neighbors,” the noise has been unrelenting. “I miss the quiet times,” he adds, noting the impact the noise has had on his property’s value.
Why Is Crypto Mining So Noisy?
Bitcoin mining requires powerful equipment to solve complex cryptographic puzzles. These mining rigs, called application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), generate immense heat, which is why large industrial fans are used to cool them down. This constant hum, along with the sound of machines, contributes to the overall noise levels.
Unlike AI data centers, which are often housed in large, enclosed buildings, cryptocurrency mines tend to be built in open spaces or next to aging power stations. This setup makes the facilities more prone to producing noise, especially when located in rural areas with less infrastructure to absorb the sound.
Environmental and Financial Impacts
The noise isn’t the only concern. Cryptocurrency mining consumes significant amounts of electricity, and the U.S. has seen an increase in energy costs in mining-heavy states like Texas. According to Earthjustice, miners pay much lower electricity rates than local residents, creating an imbalance in energy costs. In fact, the additional energy demand from miners has raised electricity prices for non-mining residents by about 4.7% annually.
As bitcoin prices surge, so does mining activity. For every $1,000 increase in the price of bitcoin, U.S. mining operations consume an additional 0.058 terawatt-hours of energy per month, according to a study by the Berkeley Lab.
Trump’s support for the crypto industry has encouraged even more growth. His administration has pushed for cryptocurrency’s integration into traditional financial systems, which could further elevate the industry’s demand for energy and increase its presence in rural areas.
The Future of Crypto Mining in America
The noise from mining facilities is unlikely to quiet down anytime soon. As the industry continues to grow, especially with support from political figures like Trump, more mining operations are expected to open across the U.S.
For residents like Copenhaver, the peace they once enjoyed may remain elusive. “I just want quiet,” she says, echoing the sentiments of many who feel that the promise of progress has come at the expense of their quality of life.
As the industry evolves and the demand for energy increases, it’s clear that cryptocurrency mining will have lasting impacts on both the environment and rural communities. Whether or not these towns can adapt to the growing noise will depend on how local governments balance economic growth with the well-being of their residents.
