Arkansas lawmakers have currently made a new bill that would ban crypto mining operations within 30 miles of any US military facility in the state.
The bill includes restricting crypto mining within a 30-mile radius of military bases, camps, hospitals, clinics, and arsenals.
Senate Bill 60, co-sponsored by Sen. Ricky Hill (R-Cabot) and House Speaker Brian Evans (R-Cabot), aims to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 to keep the mines away from military bases.
The legislation seems to be aiming for cryptocurrency mines under construction just outside the Cabot city limits and located within five miles of Little Rock Air Force Base.
This move is common to an order from the Biden administration in May that prevented a China-linked crypto mining firm from using land near a military base in Wyoming.
In December 2024, a group of city and Lonoke County officials held a press conference to voice their opposition to the mine. Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade cited concerns over noise pollution near residents, while Hill stressed national security concerns.
According to local news outlet Arkansas Money and Politics, Vice President Dustin Curtis has voiced his opposition to the bill, stating, “This bill would make Arkansas the only state in America with anything like this. No one from the governor’s office or attorney general’s office asked for this.”
Further, Curtis added, “The proposed Cabot facility will have a lower decibel volume than the state highway that runs next to it. Interstate’s Cabot mine has met all state and federal regulations related to noise, environmental impact, and security.”
Reports also highlight that, In October bitcoin mining firm NewRays stated that an Arkansas judge selectively enforced noise legislation to target its business. Also, In July banking Senator Elizabeth Warren voiced her opinion about the potential dangers posed by foreign-owned crypto mining operations on American soil.
However, The Cabot mine was expected to be started by mid-December, but a cease-and-desist order from Lonoke County Judge Doug Erwin froze the progress. And later after Interstate showed that all FEMA requirements for the mine had been met the order was lifted.
The bill was expected to be assigned to the committee by Tuesday afternoon and could be heard in committee later this week.
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