Washington DC (February 1, 2024) – Yesterday, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced that they will be collecting data on energy use by cryptocurrency mines in the U.S. In response to the announcement, Greenpeace USA Senior Researcher Erik Kojola, said: “We commend the recent actions taken by the EIA to address the substantial energy consumption of cryptocurrency mining, an industry that has largely operated under the radar of U.S. regulators with minimal reporting requirements.
“The rapid growth of cryptocurrency mining, primarily for Bitcoin, in the United States over the past few years has contributed to carbon emissions, strained energy grids, and disrupted nearby communities with noise and pollution. Data on the energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining sector is a needed first step in bringing transparency and accountability to the industry. This data will be vital for regulators, investors, and advocates to understand the scale of cryptocurrency’s energy footprint and climate risks, and help inform policy and investment decisions.We eagerly anticipate further actions from the EIA following this important initial announcement.”
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Contact: Gujari Singh, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected], (631) 404-9977
Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.
