Before New York passed its first-in-the-nation cryptocurrency mining moratorium last year, the mining industry was spoiled with zero regulations and oversight. But the tides are turning. Now, after the Biden administration recommended more regulations andSen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.)introduced a bill to crack down on the industry’s massive energy use, the industry seems spooked — and retaliating, tripling its spending on Capitol Hill lobbyists. Some groups are tripling down on Capitol Hill, pushing “Right to Mine” bills in states across the country. These bills, with purported bans on localities enacting zoning and noise ordinances for proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining operations, will squash or at the very least severely chill communities’ rights to govern and protect themselves against for-profit interests. They give big businesses (most crypto mining companies are well-capitalized) the “right” to mine crypto, even over your right to clean water and air, a quiet home and a livable climate.
Many people imagine cryptocurrency miners as regular people at home,…