Cameron County commissioners approve 55 dB noise limit for digital mining systems

Cameron County commissioners on May 23 adopted an amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 200 that sets a 55-decibel noise limit at the nearest property line for digital mining systems and establishes enforcement procedures and penalties.

The amendment was proposed as a modification to the county's existing zoning code; Commissioner Herzing said this was not a new ordinance but an amendment to rules already governing industrial noise. "It is not a new ordinance, we are amending an ordinance that already exists within our zoning code," Herzing said during the meeting.

The motion to adopt the ordinance amendment was made by Commissioner Moate and seconded by Commissioner Zucal. The board voted "all in favor" and the motion carried unanimously.

The change specifically targets digital mining systems and limits noise from any such structure, equipment or operations to no more than 55 decibels (dBA) measured at the nearest property line, and it includes enforcement provisions and penalties for violations.

Nathan Waller of Compass Mining raised questions about the noise ordinance during the public comment portion; commissioners and staff framed the action as an amendment rather than a new regulatory framework. No effective date was specified at the meeting.

Next steps: the ordinance amendment was adopted by vote at the meeting; implementation and enforcement details will follow through county zoning enforcement as described in the adopted language.