Arkansas senator seeks answers from governor’s office as outcry over unwanted crypto mines grows

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Small towns across Arkansas are becoming the unwilling hosts of cryptocurrency mining facilities, hooking up to their power grids and evoking increasing outcry among locals.

An Arkansas lawmaker is seeking answers to questions many concerned Arkansans have about cryptomines setting up shop near them.

Ever since a Chinese government-affiliated company attempted to construct a cryptomine in Harrison, Arkansas, the town’s district representative, Sen. Bryan King, (R) District 28, has been more than a little alarmed.

A law passed at the legislative session earlier this year, Act 851, rolled out the welcome mat for crypto-mining businesses in the state, largely preventing local government from regulating crypto-mines.

King requested the repeal of Act 851 during September’s special session, but the motion was shot down.

Since then, King has requested records pertaining to crypto mines and Act 851 from a governor’s office staffer, Legislative Director Jamie Barker.

“He’s one of them that had a meeting [with county officials] here recently that I was not invited to. You know, he seems to be the one that I think needs to be the one answering questions,” King said.

King’s request was denied by the governor’s office, which asserted that by statute and caselaw, the records he requested were exempt from Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act law.

King has also criticized the governor for not putting the issue of crypto-mining and Act 851 in the call for September’s special session.

Whether it’s the governor’s office and these legislators up here, why are they protecting Chinese interests out there that are putting assets like this right next to our substations?” King said. “We need to have answers about why they are being obstructions to trying to get this repealed and give cities and counties a right to be able to decide what they want.

Sen. Joshua Bryant, (R) District 32, who sponsored Act 851, provided the following statement in response:

Private property rights are paramount in our State Constitution. Regardless of the passage of Act 851, the individual has always had a right to use their property as they see fit. Act 851 simply requires those that operate crypto-mining data centers to comply with all local laws and regulations, pay taxes, and shut off in the event of power demand. In no way does Act 851 limit the ability of local control in the operation or zoning of these facilities. However, it does prevent the local government from banning them from simply wanting to exist.

As lawmakers begin to ask questions, crypto miners continue to buy property for new facilities around the state, for better or for worse.

The governor’s communication director, Alexa Henning, said the following in a statement:

The safety and security of Arkansans is Governor Sanders’ top priority. This is exactly why the governor signed multiple bills into law, during her first legislative session, to protect the state from nefarious foreign influence. She will continue to work with the legislature to fight Communist China and protect the rights of all Arkansans.