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Transmission lines in Indiana.
(Photo courtesy of Michael Kappel)
feature October 23, 2023

Cryptocurrency Mining in Indiana

The growth of cryptomining threatens to keep polluting coal-fired power plants active, strain the grid, and raise electricity rates for Hoosiers.

The Greenidge Generating Station on the west shore of Seneca Lake, near Dresden, New York.
(Lauren Petracca for Earthjustice)
Article: Victory September 27, 2023

Crypto Miners Bought Their Own Power Plant. It’s a Climate Disaster.

The plant’s air permit application was denied after community members fought back, with help from Earthjustice.

The Greenidge Generation Bitcoin mining facility, along Seneca Lake in Dresden, NY, on Jul. 30, 2022. (Lauren Petracca for Earthjustice)
Press Release: Victory September 26, 2023

BREAKING: In New Decision, Judge Finds Greenidge Generation’s Air Permit Inconsistent with NYS Climate Law

The ruling finds that Greenidge Generation’s crypto mining pollution operations are inconsistent with and will interfere with the greenhouse gas emissions limits of New York’s Climate Law (the CLCPA), as the DEC found in June 2022

Press Release September 15, 2023

Kentucky Utility Regulators Move to Protect Kentucky Power Customers from Footing the Bill for a Cryptomining Company

Earthjustice represents public interest groups in Kentucky

Bitdeer’s cryptomining facility in Rockdale, Texas. (© Aaron M. Sprecher / Greenpeace)
feature September 12, 2023

Cryptocurrency Mining in Texas

The rapid growth of cryptomining threatens to strain Texas’s grid and raise electricity rates for Texans.

Equipment used to mine cryptocurrencies and powered by the Scrubgrass Generating Plant.
feature September 12, 2023

Cryptocurrency Mining in Pennsylvania

Cryptocurrency companies are burning waste coal, shredded tires, and fracked gas.

(Matthew Henry / Unsplash)
feature September 12, 2023

Cryptocurrency Mining in Kentucky

Kentucky produces more carbon dioxide pollution from cryptocurrency mining than any other U.S. state.

In the News: Lockport Union & Sun Journal September 7, 2023

Hochul, DEC urged to deny air permit for NT crypto mine

Liz Moran, Policy Advocacy, Northeast Office: “We need to stop relying on fossil fuels to address the climate crisis. Cryptocurrency mining keeps us in the hole, it does not dig us out.”

In the News: Lexington Herald-Leader August 29, 2023

Deal crucial to building Kentucky’s largest cryptomine rejected by state regulators

Thom Cmar, Attorney, Clean Energy Program, Earthjustice: “Hardworking people shouldn’t have to pay higher utility bills so that a cryptocurrency company can get millions in subsidies they don’t deserve.”

Equipment owned by Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc., used to mine cryptocurrencies and powered by the Scrubgrass Generating Plant near Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, in Venango County.
Press Release: Victory August 28, 2023

Kentucky Rejects Controversial Subsidies for Cryptomining Company

Millions of dollars in subsidies for a cryptomining company could have raised electricity bills for other customers

Press Release August 21, 2023

Pennsylvania Residents Urge DEP to Prevent Panther Creek From Burning Tires to Fuel Cryptomining

A Carbon County, PA, cryptocurrency mine recently submitted a permit application for co-firing “Tire-derived Fuel;” which will increase dangerous amounts of air toxics for the surrounding community

Press Release April 4, 2023

Pennsylvania Environmental Groups Urge the DEP to Deny New Bubble Permit for Cryptomining at Panther Creek

Air pollution spikes at cryptomining plant in Carbon County

Document March 31, 2023

Comments to PA DEP to deny the Panther Creek waste coal power plant a permit

Comments submitted by Earthjustice, Clean Air Council and PennFuture to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) urging the department to deny a plantwide pollution bubble for operations at the Panther Creek power plant, a waste coal-fired power plant now home to thousands of bitcoin mining machines. The environmental organizations cited in their comments the Department’s proposed action on an obsolete permit application that did not reflect Panther Creek’s transformation to cryptomining operations, and related increases in pollution.

In the News: DeSmog March 28, 2023

Crypto Mining at Gas Wells Sparks Regulatory Headaches, Outcry in Northwestern Pennsylvania

Charles McPhedran, Attorney, Clean Energy Program, Earthjustice: “The question is whether DEP can make a forceful response to rogue crypto operators.”

Document January 26, 2023

Memorandum of Law Clean Air: Coalition of Western New York against Fortistar

The Public Service Commission’s decision to allow Digihost’s and Fortistar’s transaction will result in increased demand for the gas plant, resulting in a dramatic increase in its greenhouse gas emissions and interfering with New York’s achievement of its greenhouse gas limits.

In the News: NBC January 26, 2023

New lawsuit challenges state’s decision to turn a North Tonawanda power plant to a cryptocurrency company

Hillary Aidun, Attorney, Northeast Office: “The public service commission decided to approve the cryptocurrency purchase of a gas plant in North Tonawanda without doing that analysis that is required under the climate law… we are seeking to hold them accountable.”

In the News: The Verge January 26, 2023

New York faces a new legal fight over a proposed crypto-mining power plant

Dror Ladin, Attorney, Northeast Office: “The law says you can’t just ignore these really serious consequences. Running the plant 24 hours a day to mine crypto is going to be very bad both for the climate and for people in the area.”

Document January 13, 2023

Clean Air Coalition and Sierra Club v. NYS PSC, Fortistar North Tonawanda, Digihost International

The lawsuit contests the Public Service Commission’s) declaratory ruling allowing a proposed transaction between Fortistar North Tonawanda, LLC and Digihost, Inc. to proceed in contravention of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act).