Bourbon County commission moves to draft moratorium on new bitcoin-mining operations after residents report loud, health-affecting noise

The Bourbon County Commission voted Oct. 14 to begin drafting a temporary moratorium on new cryptocurrency-mining operations in the county and directed staff to publish the required notice after the document is signed. The action follows weeks of public complaints that a new gas-fired bitcoin-mining site near residences is producing constant noise and vibration residents say is affecting sleep and health.

Commission Chair David Birbauer said the moratorium is intended to stop new operations from expanding while the county’s planning commission develops rules. County counselor Jacob Billenberg told the commission a moratorium would not retroactively shut down facilities already operating but would prevent future expansion while regulations are considered.

Residents who live near the site pressed the commission to act at Monday’s meeting. Jill Franklin, who told commissioners she lives about a half-mile from the installation, said the noise and vibration made being at home “untenable.” John Franklin, another resident, said the noise was “like you can feel it in your chest.” Other speakers described continuous generator exhaust and concern about tax and permitting compliance.

Commissioners discussed enforcement options for a moratorium, including injunctive relief if someone violated it. Billenberg advised that moratoria typically allow planning commissions time to craft zoning or permit requirements and that seeking to apply a moratorium retroactively to operations already built is legally difficult. The commission agreed to bring a moratorium resolution back for signatures and publish it; the document will take effect after publication.

Several commissioners said they wanted to collect decibel measurements and other data so any future noise or nuisance rules would be grounded in local measurements. Commissioner Samuel Tran urged careful drafting to avoid unintended consequences for other county operations. Chair Birbauer asked that residents attend a scheduled appearance by company representatives the commission said it expects next week and requested civil, fact-focused conversations.

The commission also agreed to explore complementary regulatory options, including nuisance and noise controls and a future conditional-use permitting pathway presented to the planning commission.

The moratorium motion was seconded and the board approved it; staff will prepare the resolution, have commissioners sign it, and publish the notice. The moratorium will be effective upon publication.