NEW YORK(WENY)-- As cryptocurrency becomes more and more popular across the globe more and more Bitcoin mining operations continue to pop up throughout the United States. 

Originally China was the main Bitcoin mining hub but due to the impact it has on the environment, China started to enact regulations and moratoriums. This resulted in mining operations making their way to the United States. According to data from the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, the United States is home to 16.85% of the world's average monthly hashrate share. While this percentage is not even close to China’s 46.04%, it is the second-largest mining hub in the world. Because of this, Assemblywomen Anna Kelles wanted to get a step ahead of the game and put regulations on mining operations in New York before it had an irreversible impact on the environment

Kelles was pushing for a complete moratorium on Bitcoin mining throughout New York to give the Department of Environmental Conservation more time to study its environmental impact. Kelles' concerns seem to be warranted as Bitcoin Mining operations like Greenidge Generation have proven to be environmentally taxing

Despite many sleepless nights, as Kelles did everything she could to educate the public and legislatures on the potential negative effects Bitcoin Mining can have on the planet, the bill was not passed. 

“What people need to understand is it is very rare for a bill this big to be introduced and go through the entire process and pass and be signed in one session,” said Kelles. 

Even though Kelles said there will be a negative impact without the Bitcoin moratorium in place, she understood that this was just the beginning of the Bitcoin battle and she does not plan to stop fighting anytime soon. 

 “A big part of it is education because this is an industry that is twelve years old, people are still wrapping their brain around it,” said Kelles. 

If Kelles' bill would have been passed, it would have required all mining operations in New York to switch from a PoW model of mining to a more environmentally friendly mining model such as PoS. 

The bill would also require Bitcoin Mining operations to hold public hearings when permits were up for renewal. 

 “For example, Greenidge is up for renewal of one of their air permits in August, we need a public hearing for that, where all of the stakeholders can give their input,” said Kelles. 


Kelles was not alone in pushing for a moratorium on Bitcoin mining as counties like Schuyler, Seneca, and Tompkins shared similar concerns.  As she continues to push for the moratorium