Rural Texans Rebel Against Noisy Data Centers
Rural Texans living near noisy data centers and Bitcoin mines are turning against their Republican representatives. In Hood County, residents have seen significant drops in property value due to the constant noise from facilities like Marathon Digital's bitcoin mine.
Nurse anesthetist Cheryl Shadden, a lifelong Republican, is now supporting Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa after experiencing firsthand the effects of the industrial hum on her health and property value. Shadden estimates that the noise has cost her around $400,000 in lost property value.
Marathon Digital's facility near Granbury goes quiet within an hour when a politician visits, including during Hinojosa's July stop in the area. Residents have reported headaches, vertigo, sleep disruption, and stress in animals due to the noise levels.