• US legislators, Senator Edward Markey and Representative Jared Huffman, have called for an EPA investigation of crypto mining emissions data.
• The Crypto-Asset Environmental Transparency Act would require miners to disclose their emissions data.
• 16 public organizations are in support of the bill, including Sierra Club, Greenpeace USA and the National Stop Crypto Coalition.
US Legislators Renew Call for EPA Investigation of Crypto Mining Emissions Data
Senator Edward Markey and Representative Jared Huffman have called for an investigation into the environmental impact of crypto mining by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They reintroduced a bill, known as the Crypto-Asset Environmental Transparency Act, which would require miners to disclose their emissions data. It also has a $5 million budget and its findings would be published within 18 months of passage.
Support for the Bill
The bill has been backed by 16 public organizations, such as Sierra Club, Greenpeace USA and the National Stop Crypto Coalition. Senator Jeff Merkley acted as a co-sponsor in the Senate when it was first introduced in December 2020.
Senate Hearing on Impact of Crypto Mining
Markey will chair a Senate hearing on March 7 to discuss the environmental impact of crypto mining further. The results from this hearing could influence how lawmakers proceed with this issue going forward.
Impact on Environment
As noted by Markey in his statement, crypto miners are consuming large amounts of power and emitting high levels of greenhouse gases that can cause harm to our environment if not properly regulated or monitored. As such, it is essential that miners comply with regulations concerning their emissions data so we can better understand how they affect our planet’s health over time.
Conclusion
It is clear that there is strong support amongst US legislators and public organizations for an investigation into crypto mining emissions data led by the EPA so we can gain a better understanding of their impact on our environment in order to protect it from harm caused by unregulated activities like these.