Resident says Bitcoin-mining generators produce constant noise; commissioners to research zoning, moratorium and health options

A Bourbon County resident told the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 22 that a privately operated cryptocurrency “Bitcoin‑mining” facility using natural‑gas generators is producing continuous noise at levels he described as disruptive to his household and neighbors.

The resident, who did not give a full name at the meeting and is identified in County records as a public commenter, said the operation is roughly 172 yards from his home and runs 24 hours a day. “It’s constant. With the windows closed you hear just a humming sound,” the commenter said. He gave measured noise readings during the meeting, saying his front deck registered “73 to 74 decibels” while a tractor at full throttle at one point read “83 decibels.” The commenter said neighbors as far as two miles away also report hearing the equipment and that the activity has affected property values.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the complaint raises questions that cross county zoning and permitting, environmental health and code enforcement. The board promised a sequence of follow‑up steps — legal review, zoning and public‑health checks and discussion of temporary measures such as a moratorium on similar operations — rather than an immediate regulatory action.

County response and next steps

Commissioner Tran told the meeting the county is looking into multiple legal and administrative avenues and has already spoken with county counsel. “We’re looking into all the options,” Tran said. Commissioners discussed contacting the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the county counselor for advice about noise ordinances, conditional‑use permits and whether a moratorium should be drafted to halt new, similar operations pending a policy decision.

The resident said he had contacted officials in Jefferson County — including a commissioner there, Doug Walbridge — who had told him how other local governments handled similar complaints; he offered the board contact information. Commissioners asked staff to collect the resident’s decibel measurements and videos and to share that evidence with counsel and with KDHE. Commissioners also asked staff to check whether the operation had county permits and whether the land is being used consistent with any conditional‑use approvals.

What commissioners said they can and cannot do on short notice

The board repeatedly cautioned that county authority is limited in specific areas (for example, emissions regulated by state or federal agencies). “We’re working on it,” Tran said. “We’ll start researching. You should start seeing something the next week or two as far as what actions we will start bringing to the table.” Commissioners also noted the county has no general countywide noise ordinance; legal counsel said enforcement options are narrower when no local ordinance exists.

No formal action taken

The commissioners did not adopt an ordinance or impose a moratorium at the meeting. Instead they directed staff and counsel to research legal options — including zoning enforcement, conditional‑use review and possible moratorium language — and to brief the board at a future meeting. The sheriff’s office and county zoning staff were asked to help document on‑the‑ground conditions and to gather evidence submitted by the resident.

Community context

Public commenters during the meeting framed the issue as part of a larger trend of rural counties receiving industrial‑scale energy users (including cryptocurrency operations) that rely on onsite generation rather than grid power. Commissioners said they will consider whether county permitting, conditional uses or a short‑term moratorium are appropriate responses.

Ending

Commissioners said they will notify the resident directly of any next steps and expect staff and counsel to report back within days to weeks rather than months. The county did not announce any immediate permit revocations or enforcement actions at the meeting.