US lawmakers oppose mining using PoW consensus – Bits Media

A group of congressmen appealed to the US Environmental Protection Agency (JER) demanding to prohibit cryptocurrency mining, using environmentally harmful consensus algorithm.

Lawmakers led by US Representative Jared Huffman (Jared Huffman) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan (Michael Regan). They're worried, that mining farms may violate the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, increasing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. As cryptocurrencies spread, it is important to correctly assess environmental risks, related to mining, the letter says.

Congressmen said, that they support the decree of US President Joe Biden, changed the federal government's approach to cryptocurrencies. The approach is aimed at reducing the negative impact of mining on the climate and studying energy consumption for cryptocurrency mining. The authors of the letter mentioned the readiness of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEC) New York to revoke the license of the mining company Greenidge. The energy company Ameren was also subject to restrictions..

Huffman expressed dissatisfaction, that now gas and coal power plants are increasingly being used for mining. Even if excess energy is used for mining, toxic and contaminant substances may still be released into the air and water. According to Huffman, mining is poisoning the environment and making it harder for governments to fight the climate crisis. Cryptocurrencies are of particular concern, using the Proof-of-Work consensus method (PoW): BTC, ETH, XMR и ZEC.

Lawmakers cite study results, according to which electricity, spent on one transaction with Bitcoin, you can provide for a whole family for a month. Whereas to confirm transactions using a less energy-intensive method of mining cryptocurrencies with the Proof-of-Stake algorithm (PoS), spent on 99.99% less energy. In addition, the problem of recycling computing equipment is added. Annual amount of e-waste, arising in connection with mining, is almost 30,700 tons.

Huffman noted, that noise abatement legislation from the 1970s gives the EPA investigative powers: Do mining companies comply with environmental requirements?. The authorities have repeatedly received complaints from people, living near mining farms, therefore EPA should address this issue immediately, Congressmen are confident.

The rapidly growing mining and cryptocurrency industry must be socially and environmentally responsible, American politicians conclude. Recall, that last year North American miners created the Bitcoin Mining Council group to promote environmentally friendly ways of mining Bitcoin.