New York coalition calls for ban on mining at ‘dirty’ fossil-fuel plants

A coalition of businesses, organisations and labour groups in New York state sent authorities a letter requesting that permits be denied to upgrade fossil-fuel-fired power plants into centres for cryptocurrency mining.

The letter to Governor Kathy Hochul expresses concern about the environmental impact of digital-asset mining.

Requests to upgrade the facilities came from the operators Greenidge Generation and Fortistar North Tonawanda.

“Expansion of mining in New York could undermine the state’s climate goals established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Approval would jeopardise the state’s progress toward meeting its greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments.”, according to the letter.

Earlier in July, residents of New York state accused Greenidge Generation of environmental violations.

In October, Senator Ted Cruz proposed using energy produced from oil and gas extraction to mine the first cryptocurrency.

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