Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the first-in-the-nation cryptocurrency mining moratorium. The law will put a two-year pause on new and renewed air permits for fossil fuel power plants that house proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining, and require the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct a study into the practice’s environmental impacts.

Eric Weltman, Senior New York Organizer with Food & Water Watch said:

“Governor Hochul has struck a powerful blow against fracking and fossil fuels. This is a victory for our climate and communities over greedy corporations. By signing the moratorium bill, Hochul has taken an important and necessary step towards moving New York off fossil fuels. New York has no hope of achieving its climate goals if we allow the burning of fossil fuels for cryptocurrency mining. We look forward to Hochul taking the next step and closing the two facilities, Greenidge in the Finger Lakes and Fortistar in North Tonawanda, already using fracked gas for Bitcoin mining.”

Contact: Phoebe Galt, [email protected]