A group of US House Democrats called for greater surveillance of proof-of-work mining in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Democrats have asked the agency to investigate possible negative consequences, citing “concerns about reports that cryptocurrency mining facilities are polluting the environment across the country.”
The letter specifically draws attention to noise pollution, electronic waste from hardware changes, greenhouse gas emissions, and the reopening of coal plants to strengthen mining operations.
Letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan organized by Congressman Jared Huffman. More than 20 representatives signed the letter, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Brad Sherman.
President Joe Biden, at his crypto mandate, commissioned the EPA to produce a report that will explore the potential of crypto to “obstruct or advance efforts to combat climate change at home and abroad.”