Tennessee Aims to Regulate Crypto Mining with New Zoning Rules

Kingsport, Tennessee, steps forward in shaping local legislation concerning cryptocurrency operations. The city's Board of Mayor and Aldermen has recently passed, on first reading, zoning amendments catered to facilitate crypto mining and data center activities while addressing residents' concerns over noise pollution. The ordinance enforces a limit of 60 dBA for sound emissions at the property line and requires companies to undergo thorough sound studies before obtaining operation permits. Additionally, crypto operations must be housed in fully enclosed buildings, maintaining a distance of over 500 feet from residential areas. This legislative initiative responds to public outcry in many US locations, including recent lawsuits against crypto mining facilities in Texas such as the one filed by Earthjustice against Marathon Digital. Kingsport's action highlights the complex dynamics of fostering technological growth while preserving community standards. The proposed ordinance will undergo a second reading before being formally adopted.