Protests in opposition to Greenidge Technology’s plans to broaden its Bitcoin mining operation on Seneca Lake morphed right into a statewide situation in 2021. (Vaughn Golden/WSKG)
WSKG is looking again at a number of the most urgent environmental points from the previous 12 months and the way they could transfer ahead in 2022.
VESTAL, NY (WSKG) — A debate over cryptocurrency mining on Seneca Lake became a broader take a look at of New York state’s local weather regulation. That take a look at is prone to come to a head in 2022.
After a failed attempt on the tail finish of the legislature’s session in 2021, lawmakers are crafting a proposal to put a moratorium on some vitality intensive cryptocurrency era operations. Environmental activists are apprehensive about emissions from large-scale mining operations and the way which will decelerate the state’s progress at combating local weather change.
The legislative effort was largely spurred by protests over Greenidge Technology, a pure gas-burning energy plant and cryptocurrency mining operation on Seneca Lake in Yates County.
Moreover, the New York DEC is contemplating whether or not to resume an air air pollution allow for Greenidge.
The environmental regulator is anxious the pure gas-burning energy plant will forestall the state from reaching its targets to scale back greenhouse fuel emissions, as enshrined beneath the Local weather Management and Group Safety Act or CLCPA.
“I believe that the Greenidge web site is, you realize, has actually served as a take a look at case for the way severe the CLCPA regulation goes to be taken by Gov. Hochul and Commissioner Seggos,” Yvonne Taylor, vice chairman of Seneca Lake Guardian, one of many earliest environmental activist teams to attract consideration to Greenidge.
Greenidge has rallied help in response to the criticisms in opposition to it. One of many firm’s strongest allies is the state’s electrical employee’s union, the IBEW.
“These mining services will want common upkeep and upgrades because the know-how advances, creating development jobs together with these for IBEW members,” Addie Jenne, a lobbyist for {the electrical} employee’s union told a state Assembly panel earlier this 12 months.
The DEC’s determination, which could possibly be issued as early as this month, may reflect a new standard for big emitters within the state after they apply to resume air air pollution permits.
