Cross County justices approved an emergency ordinance Monday night regulating the noise produced by data centers in the county. Cities and counties have until Aug. 1 to enact similar ordinances before a new state law takes effect.
Act 851, the Arkansas Data Centers Act, would clarify the regulation of the digital asset mining business and allow for the future growth of the centers in Arkansas. These operations are often noisy because of fans used to cool computer equipment. The act states that a local government cannot limit the sound decibels generated other than the limits set for general sound pollution.
Justices unanimously approved the ordinance, which was the only agenda item. Justice Scott May presented the budget committee report; Carl Loewer presented the building committee report; and Jerry Rushing presented the road committee report.
Sheriff David West also gave an update to the quorum court. West requested to purchase four new trucks that were originally ordered last November. He noted the price has increased dramatically on the vehicles, and he doesn’t have enough in the budget. May said the budget committee would meet next week to consider the matter.
