Crypto Mining Faces Backlash in New York: Greenidge Generation in Hot Waters

Greenidge Generation, a crypto mining firm, is battling public outrage in New York. The company continues to operate despite losing its air permit renewal in 2022. This move stirred protests from demonstrators seeking an end to its operations, according to upi.  

The state regulators denied the renewal due to the company’s violation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Greenidge had nearly tripled its plant’s output, attracting the regulator’s attention.

A lawsuit against Greenidge’s acquisition of an upstate power plant is currently underway. Environmental activists claim this takeover contradicts the state’s climate law passed in 2019.

In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul instituted a two-year moratorium on new fossil-fuel-powered crypto mining operations. However, Greenidge’s plant acquisition occurred before this law, making it exempt.

Businesses have also joined the fight against crypto mining. They have urged Governor Hochul to reject permits for repurposing old power plants into mining centers, fearing this could undermine New York’s climate goals.

The public pressure is intensifying. Activists are calling for a state-wide crypto mining ban, with some even protesting near the iconic Wall Street bull statue.

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