You’re excited because you realize that New York has turned the corner, is moving full steam ahead to a cleaner, greener tomorrow. Think again. Beneath the surface of solar panels and wind farms, a dirty secret is quietly sabotaging our efforts: Bitcoin mining. And it’s happening right in our own backyard, threatening not just our environment, but more importantly, our communities.

Cheap Electricity, Environmental Catastrophe

New York, because of its access to allegedly cheap electricity, has turned into a sanctuary for all of these energy-guzzling operations. They’re currently in the business of acquiring decommissioned power plants. Their particular interest is in “peaker” gas plants, built to be used only at the highest demand hours of the day. Now? They’re goin’ 24/7, perfecting the art of cranking out Bitcoin and GHG emissions at an identical rate.

It’s a bait and switch of such epic proportions. We’d assumed that we were closing down these dirty plants for good. An insatiable industry with a hunger for cheap energy has resurrected them. This same industry continues to exhibit a flagrant lack of concern for our environment. It’s akin to replacing that leaky kitchen faucet with a firehose – a spectacularly absurd combination of short-sightedness.

Greenwashing: A Thin Veneer

The crypto industry has long indulged in the fantasy that it was ushering in a new age of innovation and financial freedom. Let’s call it what it is: greenwashing. They claim that mining can stabilize the grid by reducing operations during peak demand and utilizing excess renewable energy. This is a bold-faced lie.

Say that to the families living next to the Greenidge Generation bitcoin mine on the shores of Seneca Lake. Share with them the constant noise, the risk of water contamination, and the increase of greenhouse gas emissions soaring. Greenidge brags about offsetting their carbon emissions. That only allows them to continue paying people to clean up their mess while they still go on polluting our air and water. It’s as if I took my garbage and put it in your yard and then paid someone else to remove it. Am I really being responsible?

Consider Digi Power X in North Tonawanda. The same story. Imminent domain, noise, water consumption, and a community that is battling tooth and nail for their quality of life. They had enough power to force a local crypto-mining ban. It’s an uphill fight, a David versus Goliath struggle against well-heeled adversaries with big wallets and bigger agendas.

Are We Trading Green Dreams for Crypto Fantasies?

The Harvard study linking Bitcoin mining to increased air pollution (PM2.5), even across state lines, should be a wake-up call. This is not simply a local issue, but a metropolitan area issue. We’re flying blind because in effect we are literally trading clean air for digital currency.

What about the water? These server farms need tremendous quantities of water to cool servers. In an era where water scarcity is becoming more dire, is this still the smartest application of our money?

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) anticipates increased energy demand in the coming years, partly due to cryptocurrency mines and data centers. This places even more demand on our already-stressed grid. It deepens our commitment to fossil fuels and adds further barriers to reaching our climate targets. Are we really to give up our green future in exchange for an unproven technology that provides dubious benefits with clear environmental costs?

The reality is that we should expect better from these platforms and demand accountability. We need tougher EPA environmental standards, strong environmental reviews, and the strength to litigate air permit re-issuances. Critically, municipal officials need to become educated on the negative effects of Bitcoin mining. Further, we need better data collection practices to measure its energy consumption accurately.

Let not Bitcoin mining’s dirty secret dash New York’s green dreams. Now is the time to stand up, speak out, and insist on a sustainable future for ourselves and our children. Let’s not get so caught up with the promise of this digital gold that we forget the environmental price tag that comes with it. Our future depends on it.

  • Contact your elected officials: Tell them you support a moratorium on new Bitcoin mines and demand stronger environmental regulations.
  • Support local environmental groups: They're on the front lines, fighting for our communities and our planet.
  • Spread awareness on social media: Use hashtags like #BitcoinMining, #ClimateChange, #GreenNewYork, and #EnvironmentalJustice to amplify your voice.
  • Demand transparency: Ask your local representatives about the environmental impact assessments that have been conducted for Bitcoin mining facilities.
  • Vote with your wallet: Support companies that prioritize sustainability and avoid investing in cryptocurrencies that rely on energy-intensive mining practices.

We can't let Bitcoin mining's dirty secret destroy New York's green dreams. It's time to wake up, take action, and demand a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come. Let's not allow the allure of digital gold to blind us to the very real environmental costs. Our future depends on it.