Despite the growing appeal of crypto and how it is reshaping the world’s financial markets, some people want nothing more.
On January 13, two environmental groups were named Clean Air Coalition of Western New York and The Sierra Club filed a lawsuit against New York state agencies, namely: New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC), Fortistar North Tonawanda, LLC, North Tonawanda Holdings, LLC, and Canadian crypto mining company Digihost International, Inc. in Albany County Superior Court.
Clean Air Coalition and The Sierra Club is both are represented by Earth justice.
GPU Cards are being used for cryptocurrency mining. Source: SectigoStore
Violation of the Big Apple’s Climate Laws
The basis of said the lawsuit This is due to the NYPSC’s approval of a Proof-of-Work (PoW) crypto mining operation burning fossil fuels at the Fortistar power plant (located in North Tonawanda).
The NYPSC agreement automatically violates state climate laws, specifically the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), Earthjustice said.
Fortistar’s power plant was taken over for crypto mining operations. Source: Ted Shaffrey/AP
According to court documents, the facility will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and produce up to 3,000% more greenhouse gas emissions as a crypto mining complex.
This is the first time a lawsuit of this kind has been filed to require compliance with New York’s major climate statute mandate.
According to Chris Murawski, Executive Director of the Clean Air Coalition:
“The PSC is failing in its role as a regulatory body to protect public health and meet the requirements of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Clean Air will continue to fight the burning of fossil fuels to generate power for cryptocurrency mining, especially in residential areas like North Tonawanda.
Image: Watcher Guru
Crypto and Environmental Impact
Apart from the obvious greenhouse gases that the power plant emits as a by-product of its operation (which has led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions worldwide), the plaintiffs in the case argue that the communities around the power plants they take over have been greatly affected. and considered under the 2019 climate law as “the less fortunate community.”
This classification could have major consequences for New Yorkers who live near and depend on Fortistar’s power plants.
This means that these communities have a greater chance of experiencing negative environmental impacts, which can be a large and long-lasting burden for many individuals and families in the vicinity and operational radius of the power plant.
Crypto total market cap at $927 billion on the weekend chart | Chart: TradingView.com
For his part, Dror Ladin, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice, said:
“New York’s landmark climate law means agencies cannot ignore the climate and environmental justice consequences of their decisions.”
During the cleanup process, Clear Air and the Sierra Club expressed environmental concerns to the PSC. In response, Digihost stated in a public paper that it will convert the facility to renewable natural gas, with the ultimate goal of using 100% hydrogen by the end of 2023.
-Image featured by The Independent