Bitcoin Miners in the US Pressured to Submit Sensitive Data by EIA
The CEO of Satoshi Action Fund, Dennis Porter, has informed the crypto community that Bitcoin miners in the United States are facing pressure from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) after receiving letters demanding them to provide sensitive data. According to Porter, the EIA wants miners to comply with their directive within ten days or face fines of over $10,000 per day. The exact number of miners who have received these letters is still unknown at this time.
EIA’s Request Raises Concerns About Environmental Impact
This development comes amid concerns from the US government regarding the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining. The EIA, in collaboration with the federal government and citing emergency powers, is seeking information about miners’ locations, energy consumption, and suppliers. Porter strongly criticizes the EIA’s actions, stating that this approach is not how the government should interact with a promising industry like Bitcoin and crypto mining. He emphasizes the potential innovative benefits of mining for energy management and production in the US.
NGO CEO Plans to Fight Back and Highlight Mining’s Positive Impact
Despite rejecting the EIA’s directive, Porter states that Bitcoin miners are willing to collaborate. He believes that given the opportunity, miners can demonstrate how their technology has positively impacted the electric grid and its potential economic and environmental benefits. In a previous paper released by the Satoshi Action Fund and former ERCOT CEO Brad Jones, it was shown that Bitcoin mining can effectively capture methane, a harmful gas known for its impact on the ozone layer.
The Satoshi Action Fund intends to fight back against the EIA’s demands but has not disclosed specific details yet. They are currently conducting surveys to understand how Bitcoin miners are contributing to stabilizing the electric grid in the US. In early February, other industry figures, such as the Texas Blockchain Council President and the CEO of the Chamber of Digital Commerce, criticized the EIA’s actions, calling them an abuse of power and politically motivated.
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