Governor Kathy Hokul is considering a moratorium on this practice, but last week the State Department of Environmental Conservation refused to renew an air permit for an energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining project at Fingerlakes.
Greenidge Generation uses a converted natural gas power plant in Yates County, Finger Lakes, to power thousands of computers used to mine Bitcoin.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos told WAMC that the operation’s Title V aviation permit renewal request was rejected after state agencies applied the terms of the state’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
“We applied the facility and its application to the relatively new climate law, CLCPA, which we found to be inconsistent with the terms of the law. Emissions are already increasing. We have the potential to increase the volume even further. In fact, emissions have almost tripled since the plant went live in 2016, so for us the facts and science are very clear. , As a result of applying the law, it was rejected. “
Greenwich, which advertises the facility as a job creator to maintain carbon neutrality, said it would continue to operate in Dresden under the current agreement. The company released a long reaction to the state’s actions on Thursday, including a statement of support from local leaders.
Yates County administrator Nony Flynn called the refusal to renew the DEC disappointing.
“Not only is Greenwich operating the plant properly under all regulations, but New York taxpayers must fund the burden of long and costly judicial struggles.”
Statements in support of Greenidge also come from the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center, Yates County Farm Bureau, and IBEW Local 840, which explains that the state is abandoning high-paying jobs.
However, climate activists supported the DEC’s decision.
Yvonna Taylor is Vice President of Seneca Lake Guardian, a group that opposes the facility.
“There is a grassroots victory in New York. This is a big victory over the pollutants of the enterprise and we need to win this victory and move forward. But today is a celebration day.”
Activists want Democratic Governor Kathy Hokul to sign a bill passed by the state legislature last month to implement a two-year moratorium on a new cryptocurrency mining facility for fossil fuel-burning power plants.
“This is not a difficult decision. It’s a very easy decision. The decision has already been made. This is what people want.”
Dr. Anna Ceres, a Democrat who represents part of the Finger Lakes region, drafted the Moratorium bill.
Following the decision of the US Supreme Court, Mr. Ceres said the move by DEC and Moratorium is even more important. West Virginia vs. EPAThis undermines the federal government’s ability to regulate dangerous greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
“The rollback of EPA’s protection and surveillance of power plants took place the same day New York stepped up and said: And it’s in their hands.” That’s what DEC did for us, “says Kelles.
As part of that, Greenidge Generation states that it believes that DEC’s “fair court system overturns this regulatory misjudgment.”
