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Please take two minutes to sign a petition to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a major cosponsor of the GENIUS Act supporting cryptomining.
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Unfortunately, the harms are not limited to digital crime. Bitcoin mining is leaving a growing physical footprint in rural and industrial communities across the country, disrupting daily life. These large-scale operations are filled with endless rows of computers running for hours on end and performing nonstop calculations to process transactions and earn bitcoin. They consume extraordinary amounts of energy, strain local power grids, and provide few lasting economic benefits. Reporting found that 34 large-scale bitcoin mines used more electricity than the 3 million households that surround them. In Texas, just 10 bitcoin mines connected to the state’s grid drove a 5% spike in residential energy bills, costing consumers $1.8 billion a year, with some regions, like West Texas, seeing spikes up to 9%.
In addition to environmental costs, bitcoin mines are generating public health and quality-of-life concerns. Residents near bitcoin mining facilities in Texas, Arkansas, and North Dakota have reported persistent noise pollution, described as a round-the-clock hum, that disrupts sleep, increases stress, and may contribute to health issues. In Granbury, Texas, interviews with residents revealed widespread worries about medical problems they believe are linked to these bitcoin mines; reported ailments include hypertension, heart palpitations, chest pain, hearing loss, ear infections, migraines, and vertigo. Bitcoin mines also raise alarms about water usage and potential contamination, especially in drought-prone or resource-scarce areas.
In addition to environmental costs, bitcoin mines are generating public health and quality-of-life concerns. Residents near bitcoin mining facilities in Texas, Arkansas, and North Dakota have reported persistent noise pollution, described as a round-the-clock hum, that disrupts sleep, increases stress, and may contribute to health issues. In Granbury, Texas, interviews with residents revealed widespread worries about medical problems they believe are linked to these bitcoin mines; reported ailments include hypertension, heart palpitations, chest pain, hearing loss, ear infections, migraines, and vertigo. Bitcoin mines also raise alarms about water usage and potential contamination, especially in drought-prone or resource-scarce areas.
Protecting the American public from crypto risks and harms | Brookings
Cryptocurrencies are once again in the national spotlight due to a series of high-profile federal actions that have reignited crypto policy discussions. Shortly after Inauguration Day, the Trump administration issued an executive order to create the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Marke...
LINKS are LIVE in the message attached!!
Dear Friends,
New Yorkers fought hard to get a moratorium on the use of fossil fueled power plants for cryptomining while an environmental impact assessment was completed by DEC.
While the moratorium has expired, the draft Environmental Impact Statement was recently released, and now it is up to New Yorkers to comment on that assessment. Virtual opportunities to weigh in begin THIS WEDNESDAY, July 9th for the Finger Lakes and Western New York.
Here’s the link to register for the FLX one https://meetny-gov.webex.com/webappng/sites/meetny-gov/meeting/register/0fc7cf86922c4d94a872f57eac83afeb?ticket=4832534b00000005f719e5bd507db09c106b0602ae3fcc7d469faa6be03191a1365038bc147ed025×tamp=1751918297770&RGID=r662ea47098d67e41982416414fa6e37a&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false Register Meeting - State of NY Enterprise Webex
Here are talking points- please personalize* See additional points below for FLX people!
Additional Opportunities to Speak:
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Western NY
Date and time: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r9dfaeaa8ff23daae2df753d05c8c4554
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Southern Tier
Date and time: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r30d985dd37d16768c65263b6f7843672
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Central NY
Date and time: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r2e265dc28a3719623b3e1b98f153e30b
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Mohawk Valley
Date and time: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r3f87171a4a3fed107b7cecd3802fecb8
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing North Country
Date and time: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/rc624abc20ad12083b7ef71b579c8edda
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing New York City/Long Island
Date and time: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r44c7ef775071ba80a2ccbfe51adb6483
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Capital Region/Hudson Valley
Date and time: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/rff1879a7d6acdc7e71917193a721b5d3
Persons wishing to comment at a virtual hearing must register to speak no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day before the hearing date. There may be limits on the amount of time each speaker has to comment to ensure that all individuals have an opportunity to be heard.
Time limit for speaking is generally 2-3 minutes, so please keep that in mind as you prepare to speak.
* Additional points for FLX people: Please remember, as a part of our work in fighting Greenidge, we reported that highly toxic contaminants from Greenidge are being emitted over vineyards and wineries based on Earthjustice’s air/ emissions analysis. These contaminants include: formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, lead, mercury, arsenic, and additional emissions include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, VOC's and particulate matter. Here’s an excerpt from the submission:
“air quality emissions impacts were modeled at thirty-two nearby vineyards,
including: Seneca Shore Wine Cellars; Anthony Road Wine Company; Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars; Wagner Vineyards; Bagley’s Poplar Ridge Vineyards; Tabora Farm and Winery; Penguin Bay Winery; Fulkerson Winery; Atwater Estate Vineyards; J.R. Dill Winery; Lakewood Vineyards; Castel Grisch Winery; Prejean Winery; CK Torrey Ridge Winery; Miles Wine Cellars; Fox Run Vineyards; Belhurst Estate Winery; Three Brothers Wineries; Boundary Breaks Vineyard; Fruit Yard Winery; Glenora Wine Cellars; Caywood/Silver Thread Vineyards;Toast Winery; Leidenfrost Vineyards; Chateau LaFayette Reneau; Scout Vineyards; Red Tail Ridge Winery; Kemmeter Wines; Climbing Bines Hop Farm & Brewery; and Hickory Hollow Wine Cellars.”
The report goes on to state that the emissions spread across the lake to Romulus as well.
Agriculture and tourism are the backbone of the FLX. Is this the kind of harmful industry we want to keep hosting in the Finger Lakes? Furthermore, the permit for the Greenidge plant allows it to withdraw up to 139 million gallons of Seneca Lake water every day, dumping it back hot, at temperatures up to 108 degrees fahrenheit.
As recently as June 17th, Greenidge had a spill that may have impacted the lake.
Please register, speak, and share all of this widely to encourage participation. Thank You!
Dear Friends,
New Yorkers fought hard to get a moratorium on the use of fossil fueled power plants for cryptomining while an environmental impact assessment was completed by DEC.
While the moratorium has expired, the draft Environmental Impact Statement was recently released, and now it is up to New Yorkers to comment on that assessment. Virtual opportunities to weigh in begin THIS WEDNESDAY, July 9th for the Finger Lakes and Western New York.
Here’s the link to register for the FLX one https://meetny-gov.webex.com/webappng/sites/meetny-gov/meeting/register/0fc7cf86922c4d94a872f57eac83afeb?ticket=4832534b00000005f719e5bd507db09c106b0602ae3fcc7d469faa6be03191a1365038bc147ed025×tamp=1751918297770&RGID=r662ea47098d67e41982416414fa6e37a&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false Register Meeting - State of NY Enterprise Webex
Here are talking points- please personalize* See additional points below for FLX people!
Additional Opportunities to Speak:
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Western NY
Date and time: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r9dfaeaa8ff23daae2df753d05c8c4554
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Southern Tier
Date and time: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r30d985dd37d16768c65263b6f7843672
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Central NY
Date and time: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r2e265dc28a3719623b3e1b98f153e30b
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Mohawk Valley
Date and time: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r3f87171a4a3fed107b7cecd3802fecb8
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing North Country
Date and time: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/rc624abc20ad12083b7ef71b579c8edda
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing New York City/Long Island
Date and time: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r44c7ef775071ba80a2ccbfe51adb6483
Cryptocurrency Mining Law Hearing Capital Region/Hudson Valley
Date and time: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Registration link: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/rff1879a7d6acdc7e71917193a721b5d3
Persons wishing to comment at a virtual hearing must register to speak no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day before the hearing date. There may be limits on the amount of time each speaker has to comment to ensure that all individuals have an opportunity to be heard.
Time limit for speaking is generally 2-3 minutes, so please keep that in mind as you prepare to speak.
* Additional points for FLX people: Please remember, as a part of our work in fighting Greenidge, we reported that highly toxic contaminants from Greenidge are being emitted over vineyards and wineries based on Earthjustice’s air/ emissions analysis. These contaminants include: formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, lead, mercury, arsenic, and additional emissions include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, VOC's and particulate matter. Here’s an excerpt from the submission:
“air quality emissions impacts were modeled at thirty-two nearby vineyards,
including: Seneca Shore Wine Cellars; Anthony Road Wine Company; Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars; Wagner Vineyards; Bagley’s Poplar Ridge Vineyards; Tabora Farm and Winery; Penguin Bay Winery; Fulkerson Winery; Atwater Estate Vineyards; J.R. Dill Winery; Lakewood Vineyards; Castel Grisch Winery; Prejean Winery; CK Torrey Ridge Winery; Miles Wine Cellars; Fox Run Vineyards; Belhurst Estate Winery; Three Brothers Wineries; Boundary Breaks Vineyard; Fruit Yard Winery; Glenora Wine Cellars; Caywood/Silver Thread Vineyards;Toast Winery; Leidenfrost Vineyards; Chateau LaFayette Reneau; Scout Vineyards; Red Tail Ridge Winery; Kemmeter Wines; Climbing Bines Hop Farm & Brewery; and Hickory Hollow Wine Cellars.”
The report goes on to state that the emissions spread across the lake to Romulus as well.
Agriculture and tourism are the backbone of the FLX. Is this the kind of harmful industry we want to keep hosting in the Finger Lakes? Furthermore, the permit for the Greenidge plant allows it to withdraw up to 139 million gallons of Seneca Lake water every day, dumping it back hot, at temperatures up to 108 degrees fahrenheit.
As recently as June 17th, Greenidge had a spill that may have impacted the lake.
Please register, speak, and share all of this widely to encourage participation. Thank You!
Virtual Hearings on Cryptomining in NY Start This Wednesday
Virtual Hearings on Cryptomining in NY Start This Wednesday
Oil spill at Bitcoin mining facility sparks water safety concerns near Seneca Lake
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reported an oil spill at Greenridge's Bitcoin mining operation in Torrey.
From Bluesky
Seneca Lake Guardian
Protect the Finger Lakes for Future Generations
Public Education | Citizen Participation | Engagement with Decision Makers | Networking with Like-Minded Organizations
Join us in understanding the urgent threats facing the Finger Lakes and take action to protect our land and waters. Industrial projects, pollution, and harmful development put our region’s health, economy, and way of life at risk. At Seneca Lake Guardian, a Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate, we believe that protecting our lakes is a shared responsibility—one that requires awareness, advocacy, and community partnership. We are the only organization dedicated to actively working to protect the Finger Lakes from dirty industrial projects that could threaten the health of our lakes, our rural community character, the Finger Lakes Brand, or the livelihoods of the small business owners who depend on the lakes for their success. Together, we can defend the Finger Lakes from environmental harm and ensure they remain clean, vibrant, and thriving for generations to come. Be a part of the movement to safeguard our waters—because once they’re gone, there’s no turning back.
Seneca Lake Guardian is a New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation with 501(c)(3) status. It is dedicated to preserving and protecting the health of the Finger Lakes, its residents and visitors, its rural community character, and its agricultural and tourist-related businesses. This is achieved through public education, citizen participation, engagement with decision-makers, and networking with like-minded organizations.