The Vilonia Planning Commission has decided to reject the proposal for a cryptocurrency mining facility based on the opinions of local residents who expressed concerns about environmental and quality of life impacts.
Public Opinion
During a recent commission meeting, local residents voiced concerns over noise pollution, increased energy demands, and potential environmental degradation associated with crypto mining. At public hearings, community members cited examples from other regions, warning of rising electricity costs and constant noise from mining rigs that have plagued neighborhoods. A lifelong Vilonia resident, speaking to local news, questioned: “Did we make a mistake moving here? We’re not asking these people to come here. I grew up here. I graduated from Vilonia, and we are Arkansas, the natural state, not Arkansas, the Bitcoin state.”
Previous Mining Proposals
This isn’t the first time Vilonia has clashed with the crypto-mining industry. In 2023, the city denied Vilo AR’s request to build a mining facility and permanently revoked its permit. A separate proposal from Green Digital also faced fierce community resistance, partly due to fears about national security risks and the company’s alleged connections to the Chinese Communist Party.
Regulation of Crypto Mining in Arkansas
Arkansas lawmakers have begun taking steps to regulate crypto mining at the state level. In early 2025, two bills were introduced in the State House to restrict mining operations. Among them was Senate Bill 60, which proposed banning crypto mines within a 30-mile radius of any U.S. military installation. Introduced by Senator Ricky Hill and House Speaker Brian Evans, the bill sought to amend the Arkansas Data Centres Act of 2023 but was later rejected by the Senate’s City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.
The decision of the Vilonia Planning Commission demonstrates the importance of public opinion regarding the environmental and social implications of new technologies such as crypto mining.
