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In the News: FingerLakes1.com October 26, 2024

State Supreme Court to hear Greenidge lawsuit challenging DEC permit denial

Mandy DeRoche, Deputy Managing Attorney, Clean Energy Program, Earthjustice: “Greenidge’s operations conflict with New York’s climate law and represent significant environmental risks. The communities around Seneca Lake have been vocal about the negative impact of this facility, and we support DEC’s authority to uphold the standards set by the CLCPA.”

Press Release October 22, 2024

New York State Cryptomining Moratorium Expires in One Month and Still No Environmental Impact Study

The 2022 law required the DEC to produce a study into cryptomining’s environmental impacts by November 22, 2023; Without a completed environmental study, New York further delays meeting Climate Act goals

Press Release October 7, 2024

Granbury Residents Sue Local Bitcoin Mine Over Health-Threatening Noise Pollution

Huge cryptomining operation run by Marathon Digital Holdings linked to serious health concerns

document October 4, 2024

Texas Cryptomining Suit: Citizens Concerned About Wolf Hollow v. Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.

A group of Granbury community members, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in Texas State Court, Hood County, against Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc., which operates a bitcoin mine in Granbury, Texas. The lawsuit alleges that Marathon creates a private nuisance by causing and then failing to mitigate excessive noise pollution caused by their 24/7 proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining operations, resulting in sustained harm to the surrounding community.

The sun rises over a hazy New York City skyline as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside. (Seth Wenig / AP)
From the Experts September 23, 2024

On Renewable Energy, It’s Up to You, New York

Sixty groups submitted a letter asking the Public Service Commission to step up efforts to meet New York’s renewable energy targets

The Greenidge Generation Bitcoin mining facility, along Seneca Lake in Dresden, NY, on Jul. 30, 2022. (Lauren Petracca for Earthjustice)
Press Release August 15, 2024

After 3rd Air Permit Denial, Cryptominer Greenidge Files Suit to Continue Exploiting the Finger Lakes Environment and Economy

Major polluter Greenidge Generation files lawsuit in order to continue mining cryptocurrency and polluting the environment while challenging DEC’s permit denial in court

Bitcoin mining machines in a warehouse at the Whinstone US Bitcoin mining facility in Rockdale, Texas, the largest in North America. Operations like this one have been boosted by China’s intensified crypto crackdown that has pushed the industry west. (Mark Felix / AFP via Getty Images)
Press Release July 11, 2024

U.S. Energy Information Administration to Advance New Survey Requiring Cryptomining Companies to Report Energy Use

“Utilities and anyone who depends on reliable, affordable electricity should support the EIA’s effort to bring transparency to this energy-intensive industry”

In the News: Texas Tribune July 10, 2024

Texas leaders worry that Bitcoin mines threaten to crash the state power grid

Mandy DeRoche, Deputy Managing Attorney, Clean Energy Program: “They can game the system in a few different ways for their profit.”

In the News: Time July 8, 2024

‘We’re Living in a Nightmare:’ Inside the Health Crisis of a Texas Bitcoin Town

Mandy DeRoche, Deputy Managing Attorney, Clean Energy Program: “Historically, Bitcoin miners go to the cheapest source of electricity with the least amount of regulation, and they do the cheapest thing possible. It’s one of the reasons why noise pollution from crypto mining tends to be so much worse than traditionally-operated data center operators.”

In the News: Marketplace May 20, 2024

“Right-to-mine” crypto laws are making their way across the U.S.

Mandy DeRoche, Deputy Managing Attorney, Clean Energy Program: “We have seen across the U.S. how energy-intensive crypto mining strains electric grids, restarts and unretires dirty coal and gas plants, raises electricity rates for others, increases local air and water pollution and is as noisy as planes about to take off. Crypto miners don’t need incentives…

document May 9, 2024

NYS DEC Decision: Case Closed – Greenidge Crypto Mining

The ruling confirmed DEC’s authority to deny permits, including renewal permits, for being inconsistent with the greenhouse gas emissions limits of New York’s Climate Law (the CLCPA) and upheld the denial of Greenidge’s permit on that basis.

The Greenidge Generating Station on the west shore of Seneca Lake, near Dresden, New York.
(Lauren Petracca for Earthjustice)
Press Release: Victory May 9, 2024

Another Decision Upholds Denial of Cryptominer Greenidge Generation’s Air Permit – DEC Case Closed

Climate-killing crypto miner Greenidge Generation became a national story and test case for how states should handle the exploitative and extractive crypto mining industry

In the News: E&E News April 10, 2024

Unsolved mystery: How much power is crypto using?

Mandy DeRoche, Deputy Managing Attorney, Clean Energy Program: “Every day is urgent. The incentives for mining are getting so much higher. Between the price of bitcoin and extreme weather, the combination is a danger to our grid and a danger to externalizing costs on other ratepayers and on the environment.”

Bitcoin mining machines in a warehouse at the Whinstone US Bitcoin mining facility in Rockdale, Texas, the largest in North America. Operations like this one have been boosted by China’s intensified crypto crackdown that has pushed the industry west. (Mark Felix / AFP via Getty Images)
feature March 25, 2024

State Legislation Alert: As Alarm Grows Over Crypto Mining’s Energy Consumption, Bitcoin Lobbyists Peddle State Bills

A new “model” bill carves out special protections for crypto miners that can threaten the grid and raise electricity rates.

Bitcoin mining machines in a warehouse at the Whinstone US Bitcoin mining facility in Rockdale, Texas, the largest in North America. Operations like this one have been boosted by China’s intensified crypto crackdown that has pushed the industry west. (Mark Felix / AFP via Getty Images)
From the Experts March 12, 2024

Cryptocurrency Miners Need to Report their Energy Use

The U.S. Energy Information Administration raises concerns about energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining operations, will seek comments on reporting requirements.

In the News: Courthouse News Service March 7, 2024

NY appellate court greenlights challenge of crypto-mining power plant

Hillary Aidun, Attorney, Northeast Office: “As the appellate court made clear, people who live near polluting power plants have every right to challenge the decisions that impact their health, safety, and quality of life. We look forward to proving that cryptocurrency miners can’t get a free pass to pollute, and the Public Service Commission can’t…

In the News: Denton Record-Chronicle February 28, 2024

Texas bitcoin miners don’t have to report energy usage yet; Denton touts selling renewables

Thom Cmar, Attorney, Clean Energy Program: “The EIA collects this type information from every energy user in the U.S., so there is no question that they have the authority to collect this information. It’s just a question of whether this industry is willing to cooperate by making this information publicly available to the extent it…

In the News: Fortune February 27, 2024

Texas Bitcoin miner sues feds over energy survey

Thom Cmar, Attorney, Clean Energy Program: “The EIA clearly has authority to collect this type of information from crypto miners, as it does from many other industries. The reporting burdens here are minimal, and this is information that the public has the right to know.”