Could New York State’s ban on the energy-intensive activity foreshadow similar actions in other parts of the country?
In the wake of the nation’s first moratorium on cryptocurrency mining operations, should the industry worry that more states will follow New York’s example? Clio Chang outlines the state’s new policy in Curbed.
“Over the past few years, upstate New York has seen a proliferation of these plants that ‘mine’ digital currencies using fossil fuels, often repurposing old aluminum mills and coal plants in the area.” The New York bill, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul last week, will last for two years and applies to “new ‘proof of work’ fossil-fuel crypto plants, which utilize enormous amounts of energy to feed high-powered computers to validate new coins. It doesn’t apply to individuals — or companies — who have already filed paperwork in the state.”
Cryptocurrency mining has come under fire from environmentalists for its contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. “Global mining of just one kind of cryptocurrency, bitcoin, consumes more electricity than all residential lighting in the U.S. and produces about half the emissions of the global tobacco industry, according to the University of Cambridge.”
FULL STORY: Is New York’s Crypto-Mining Moratorium the Start of a Trend?
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The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
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San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
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Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research