4 members of the USA Home of Representatives from the Vitality and Commerce Committee have demanded solutions from 4 main crypto mining companies regarding the potential results of their power consumption on the setting.

In letters dated Wednesday to Core Scientific, Marathon Digital Holdings, Riot Blockchain, and Stronghold Digital Mining, U.S. lawmakers Frank Pallone, Bobby Rush, Diana DeGette, and Paul Tonkorequested the businesses present data from 2021 together with the power consumption of their mining amenities, the supply of that power, what proportion got here from renewable power sources, and the way typically the companies curtailed operations. The 4 members of the Home committee additionally inquired as to the common value per megawatt hour the businesses spent mining crypto at every of their respective amenities.

“Blockchain expertise holds immense promise which will make our private data safer and financial system extra environment friendly,” said the lawmakers in a letter to Riot CEO Jason Les. “Nevertheless, the power consumption and {hardware} required to help PoW-based cryptocurrencies could, in some situations, produce extreme externalities within the type of dangerous emissions and extra digital waste.”

NEW: E&C leaders despatched a sequence of letters to cryptomining firms at present demanding solutions on what they’re doing to mitigate their power use and offset their local weather impacts. Learn extra right here https://t.co/YDemVtZkVE

— Vitality and Commerce Committee (@EnergyCommerce) August 17, 2022

The request adopted U.S. President Joe Biden signing the Inflation Discount Act into regulation on Tuesday, a invoice thought of by many specialists to be the most important laws within the battle towards local weather change. The invoice included incentives to help and develop inexperienced power tasks, together with clear transportation and “climate-smart” manufacturing.

“Given the existential menace posed by the local weather disaster, we’re deeply involved about efforts like [Proof-of-Work mining] that enhance demand for fossil fuels, with the potential to place new pressure on our power grid.”

Inexperienced and gold: The crypto tasks saving the planet

Whether or not in dialogue over its environmental or financial influence, cryptocurrency stays within the highlight amongst many in authorities, each in the USA and overseas. In April, 23 U.S. lawmakers despatched a letter to the Environmental Safety Company, urging administrator Michael Regan to evaluate crypto mining companies probably violating environmental statutes.