Bitcoin Miners in the US Accused of Air Pollution with Particulates

Approximately 1.9 million Americans have been exposed to increased air pollution from fine particulates caused by Bitcoin mining, according to a study published in Nature Communications.

A team of scientists led by Francesca Dominici from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the most affected states were:

• New York;
• Texas (northeast and metropolitan region near Houston/Austin);
• Illinois and Kentucky (areas along their border).

Researchers collected data on 34 major Bitcoin farms with a total capacity of 3910 MW. From August 2022 to July 2023, these facilities consumed a total of 32.5 TWh of electricity, 85% of which was generated from fossil fuels.

The electricity for Bitcoin miners was supplied by 138 coal and 497 gas power plants, often located in different regions from the miners. Responding to demand, these facilities increased generation using reserve capacities, leading to a rise in fine particulate emissions.

Scientists noted that this type of pollution is associated with premature mortality and other adverse health effects.

The study’s authors emphasized that residents of areas far from data centers were exposed to increased concentrations of fine particulates due to mining. For instance, the largest electricity supplier for Atlas Power’s facility in Williston, North Dakota, was the Jeffrey Energy Center coal plant in St. Marys, Kansas—approximately 1155 km away.

“Residents of Metropolis, Illinois, breathe high concentrations of PM 2.5 pollutants emitted by a power plant in Kentucky, which supplies Bitcoin mining in North Carolina,” the study states.

This makes it difficult for the public, organizations, and local authorities to respond to the increase in emissions, the scientists believe.

They estimate that since the study’s completion, the capacity of mining operations has likely increased significantly. If industry participants fulfill their plans, the total capacity could now reach 7945 MW.

According to the researchers, Bitcoin mining presents two main air pollution issues:

• Cryptocurrency mining consumes vast amounts of electricity generated from fossil fuels like coal;
• Efforts to regulate emissions are hindered by the jurisdictional limitations of state authorities.

Solutions could include “responsible siting” rules for miners and federal intervention in combating regional air pollution, the scientists suggest.

Earlier, the US Senate introduced a bill setting regional emission limits for cryptocurrency mining facilities and AI data centers.