Court's Bold Decision: New York Bitcoin Mine Can Keep Operating Amid Climate Controversy
The Associated Press7 hours ago
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Court's Bold Decision: New York Bitcoin Mine Can Keep Operating Amid Climate Controversy

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Summary:

  • New York court allows controversial Bitcoin mine to continue operations

  • Greenidge Generation faces criticism for its environmental impact

  • DEC previously denied air permit citing greenhouse gas emissions

  • Judge ruled DEC failed to allow Greenidge to defend itself

  • Environmental groups vow to continue fight against the facility

New York Judge Upholds Bitcoin Mining Operation

A recent ruling in New York has allowed a controversial cryptocurrency plant to continue its operations despite state regulators' attempts to close it due to climate impact concerns. The Greenidge Generation facility, located in the Finger Lakes region, has faced criticism from environmental groups since it began mining Bitcoin four years ago.

The facility operates using thousands of energy-intensive computer servers that solve complex equations to generate Bitcoin. It draws power from a former coal-burning plant that was converted to natural gas in 2017. Previously, in 2022, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) denied the plant a necessary air permit, citing its greenhouse gas emissions as incompatible with the state’s climate goals.

However, State Supreme Court Justice Vincent M. Dinolfo ruled that the DEC failed to provide Greenidge with a chance to defend itself against the alleged violations, labeling it an “interpretative error” under the law. In a statement, Greenidge celebrated the decision, arguing that it protects local jobs from what they describe as politically motivated overreach.

Conversely, environmental advocates argue that Greenidge is contributing to significant carbon emissions and contaminating nearby Seneca Lake with heated water discharges. Mandy DeRoche, a deputy managing attorney at Earthjustice, emphasized the community's concerns over the facility's negative impact on local resources and vowed to continue fighting for its closure.

The DEC accused the plant of misleading regulators about its operations, stating that it primarily serves its own substantial energy needs rather than contributing to the state's electricity requirements as initially claimed. Meanwhile, Greenidge insists it complies with all permits and is 100% carbon neutral through various offset programs.

Yvonne Taylor, vice president at Seneca Lake Guardian, expressed concern over the implications of this ruling for the state's climate initiatives, especially with the potential influence of political changes.

Key Points:

  • New York court allows Greenidge Generation to continue operations despite environmental concerns.
  • The facility has been criticized for its high greenhouse gas emissions since it began Bitcoin mining.
  • The DEC previously denied a required air permit, claiming emissions violated state climate goals.
  • Environmental groups are committed to fighting against the mine's operations, citing significant environmental impacts.
  • Greenidge claims compliance and asserts it is carbon neutral through offsets.

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