Arkansas Senate rejects bill to ban crypto mining near military facilities: report
The Arkansas Senate’s City, County and Local Affairs Committee voted against a bill that set out to prohibit crypto mining businesses from being established within 30 miles of military facilities, according to a report by The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
The bill , which was rejected Thursday by six votes against one, would have also allowed the state to revoke business permits already given out to a crypto mining facility if it is situated near a military establishment.
The proposed legislation included an emergency clause for immediate implementation, citing potential national security and state security risks from crypto mining operations near various military facilities, including military hospitals or clinics.
“This act is immediately necessary in order to ensure the health and safety of the State of Arkansas and its citizens,” the original bill wrote.
Last May, former U.S. President Joe Biden issued an order to block Mine One Partners Limited, a crypto mining company with majority Chinese ownership, from having property near an Air Force base in Wyoming, citing national security risks concerns.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to support the domestic bitcoin mining industry, saying that all of future bitcoin should be mined in the country. The U.S. accounts for over 40% of global crypto mining, TheMinerMag reported earlier this month.
Outside of national security concerns, crypto mining has also been subject to criticism from environmentalists for its high level of demand for electricity and production of environmental waste.
Mining companies have been putting effort to develop more sustainable mining equipment to address the criticism. At CES 2025, mining hardware maker Canaan unveiled a new bitcoin miner that also works as a home heater.
