US senators have submitted a bill on environmental transparency of crypto assets – Bits Media

US senators have submitted a bill on environmental transparency of crypto assets, According to which miners, Using more 5 MW of electricity, are obliged to report on greenhouse gas emissions.

The bill was submitted by Senator Ed Marcley (Ed Markley) and Member of the House of US Representatives Jared Huffman (Jared Huffman). They think, that this will enhance the supervision of cryptocurrencies, environmental. Legislators explained, what for mining bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Using the Proof-OF-WORK algorithm (PoW), A large amount of electricity is required. According to the Science Office and White House Technologies, Cryptocurrencies have to be 1.7% electricity, consumed in the USA, of them 1.4% It falls on bitcoin.

According to Senator Marcley, Mining farms threaten the government efforts to combat climate change. If the bill enters into force, Any enterprise, Using more 5 MW of electricity for cryptocurrency mining, In accordance with the Law on Clean air, they will be required to report on emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. At the same time, it is unclear, What further actions will the authorities take on the basis of data, obtained from miners: Will their activities be completely discontinued, or restrictions will be imposed on them.

“This initiative will be an important step towards understanding, What impact does the production of cryptocurrencies have on the environment, and will also allow miners to be held accountable for damage, The environmental ", - noted the lawmakers.

In May, environmental activists already called on the US government to conduct inspections of mining operations and increase the level of transparency with respect to the use of electricity by miners.