Local Businesses in New York Urged the Governor to Implement a Statewide Bitcoin Mining Moratorium

The governor of the state of New York, Kathy Hochul, has been urged by a group of local companies to deny bitcoin miners work permits. The letter specifically requests that ”permits for the Greenidge Generating Station and Fortistar's North Tonawanda Facility be denied."

The governor of the state of New York, Kathy Hochul, has been urged by a group of local companies to deny bitcoin miners work permits. The letter specifically requests that ”permits for the Greenidge Generating Station and Fortistar's North Tonawanda Facility be denied." The letter also calls on the New York government to evaluate “proof-of-work” (POW) digital currency mining in the state, as local businesses believe that POW mining “greatly undermines New York's climate goals”.

Local Businesses from New York Called on Governor Kathy Hochul to Implement a Statewide Bitcoin Mining Moratorium

Climate change is a big problem for a number of local businesses in New York state, as a large coalition of companies has called on governor Kathy Hochul to deny bitcoin mining permits. Seatuck Environmental Association, the coalition's letter, Ravines Wine Cellars, Peconic Baykeeper, Nassau hiking and outdoor club, the Environmental Committee of NYPAN, Mothers out front is supported by businesses and organizations such as New York and New Yorkers for Clean Power.

“We, the undersigned organizations, businesses and labor groups as today, your management, a comprehensive statewide generic environmental impact Statement (GEIS) is made until proof of work (PoW) mining crypto currency on a statewide moratorium, we encourage you to write and publish in the letter, Fortistar North Tonawanda Greenidge production station for the plant and deny permissions" it's called. On October 13 earthjustice.org the letter, published in:

“These 'mining' activities, especially proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining, use enormous amounts of energy to power the computers needed to do business - if this activity expands in New York, it could greatly undermine the climate goals set under New York's Climate Leadership. and the Community Protection Act.”

New York's Relation to Bitcoin Mining

The state of New York (NY) is no stranger to such discussions about Bitcoin mining, because discussions on the topic have been going on for several years. in 2018, some counties in NY, such as the Plattsburgh Common Council, issued new guidelines for miners aimed at controlling noise and fire safety regulations. Despite stricter rules in certain areas, bitcoin miners have been flocking to NY for the past two years. Sundays dec as the miners entered the New York market, operations began to receive complaints from local neighbors and NY politicians.

In December 2020, an environmental organization called the Sierra Club, a committee that aims to protect the Finger Lakes region, sued the NY town of Torrey for allowing the Greenidge Generation power plant to expand its mining operations. The Sierra Club asked the town of Torrey and the Torrey Planning Board to block the construction with an injunction. Senator Kevin Parker (D) believes that bitcoin miners should stop operations due to climate change concerns.

In May 2021, senator Parker introduced legislation to address these concerns, explaining that bitcoin mining "threatens not only New York's climate goals under the CLCPA, but also global energy policy, such as the Paris Agreement".

Parker's bill was intended to impose a moratorium on the operation of cryptocurrency mining centers until the NY government completes an assessment of the environmental impact. If the moratorium is implemented, bitcoin mining operations that can prove that the work “does not adversely affect the state greenhouse gas emission targets in the climate leadership and community protection act of 2019” can operate legally under NY law.

The Letter Highlights the 'Climate Crisis in New York Is Here Now'

The latest letter to NY governor Kathy Hochul says bitcoin mining facilities threaten the state's progress toward addressing climate change.

“In New York, data mining operations using warehouses full of computers have installed shops in out-of-state areas that draw electricity from New York's grid, 're-powering' old fossil-fuel power plants, thereby seriously jeopardizing the progress of the state. the letter emphasizes ”reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The letter emphasizes that the local business group wants governor Hochul to take action now. The letter ends as follows:

“As you witnessed in the first weeks of starting your business, the climate crisis in New York is now here. New York City recently saw an unprecedented flood that led to the loss of lives - now more than ever, strong climate action is needed. By issuing a statewide moratorium and denying permits for Greenidge and Fortistar, we ask you to lead the way on proof-of-work cryptocurrency and set a national precedent. Thank you for taking the time and considering our comments.”