Taxpayers expected to pay for somebody else’s coal burned cryptocurrency stash.
Companies that burn waste coal to generate electricity for cryptocurrency mining should not be getting renewable energy tax credits. But apparently that’s what’s happening in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania residents may submit public comments to DEP, and write to Governor Josh Shapiro. Everyone else can write to the White House and all elected representatives about the issue of building power plants purely to make cryptocurrency. This is a problem that can and should be fixed with common sense at various levels of government.
(Feel free to use my letters below as a template guide for writing to your own representatives on this topic.)
Lawyers respond to legal battle against cryptocurrency and Gov. Shapiro By Isabela Weiss | WVIA News | Report for America Published May 8, 2024 at 12:54 PM EDT
Nesquehoning residents prepare legal arguments to challenge the Commonwealth and a cryptocurrency company.
Save Carbon County, a grassroots organization, and Freiwald Law sued Stronghold Digital Mining, along with Governor Josh Shapiro, on allegations of environmental pollution and claiming tax credits, according to the lawsuit filed on March 26.
They argue the Shapiro Administration enables Stronghold and its subsidiary, Panther Creek Electric Generating Facility, to pollute the environment. Stronghold received over $20 million in renewable energy tax credits from the state last year, according to the lawsuit.
Panther Creek burns waste coal to generate electricity for cryptocurrency mining.
[...]
“Stronghold operates this power plant differently than any other power plant in Pennsylvania,” said Feinberg. “Stronghold is running this power plant for their Bitcoin and crypto mining operations. For their purely private incentive. And that’s what is different about them versus any other power plant in Pennsylvania.”
He said residents need to continue contacting the DEP and Freiwald Law about Stronghold. He emphasized that first-hand experiences of Panther Creek’s pollution is the legal argument’s backbone.
Residents discussed their next steps at a meeting May 8 at the Nesquehoning Recreational Center. They plan to petition DEP to not renew Panther Creek’s operating permit. DEP reviews operating permits every five years, according to its website. Residents have until May 28 to submit comments to Norm Frederick at nfrederick@pa.gov and Mark Mott at mmott@pa.gov.
My letter to my US senators and representative in congress:
Companies that build and operate power plants to supply cryptocurrency “mining” operations should be barred from receiving taxpayer subsidies meant for climate change mitigation. The entire cryptocurrency operation is antithetical to reducing pointless energy expenditure and the taxpayers sure shouldn’t be supporting these profiteering businesses.
My letter to the Governor of PA, and my PA state senator and state representative:
Companies that build and operate power plants to supply cryptocurrency “mining” operations should be barred from receiving taxpayer subsidies meant for climate change mitigation. The entire cryptocurrency operation is antithetical to reducing pointless energy expenditure and the taxpayers sure shouldn’t be supporting these profiteering businesses. Stronghold Digital Mining / Panther Creek Electric Generating Facility should not be given permits for anything as long as they’re engaging in this reckless business venture, and certainly should NOT receive financial handouts from Pennsylvania residents and taxpayers.
My public comment to Norm Frederick (Engineering Group Manager, Facilities Section) and Mark Mott (Air Quality Engineer) at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):
I am wholly against the power plant that will pollute the air here in beautiful Northeastern Pennsylvania for the sake of making cryptocurrency for some speculator’s stash. The entire cryptocurrency operation is antithetical to reducing pointless energy expenditure in our time of climate catastrophes. Stronghold Digital Mining / Panther Creek Electric Generating Facility should not be given permits for their plans in Carbon County.
My postcard to President Joe Biden:
