Greenidge Bitcoin Mining

Greenidge is an old coal power plant with an already bad environmental history. Once mothballed, it was converted to a gas fired plant for use as a “peaker plant”- to only be used when excess energy was needed by the public, and not run continually. Now, its out of state owners at Atlas Holdings want to expand operations for a privately owned bitcoin operation which would consume enough power to fuel 93,000 homes. That’s bigger than 2 of Amazon’s immense data centers. This facility threatens the health of our air, our water, and the Finger Lakes’ thriving agricultural and tourism-driven economy.

But Greenidge is not an outlier. Proof of Work (PoW) cryptocurrency mining is extremely energy intensive. It can use the same amount of energy as entire countries like Argentina.

Parts of China and India are banning Bitcoin because it is hampering their climate goals, and taking power (electricity) away from the public to use for private Bitcoin operations. Crypto mining’s energy use has increased by 320% in the past 5 years. Nature completed a study in 2018 stating that Bitcoin mining could single-handedly tip us over that 2 degree tipping point that climate scientists warn about.

Energy-intensive, climate busting crypto mining is sweeping through the US as more countries move to ban it. New York is host to nearly 20% of all crypto mining where there is no regulation on this polluting industry.

Seneca Lake Guardian has lead the charge in educating and informing statewide environmental organizations who have formed a coalition to make this a top environmental priority for New York. We’re laser-focused on this issue and our relatively small sized organization lends itself to being nimble enough to act rapidly, when other larger environmental orgs cannot. Seneca Lake Guardian continues to connect with impacted communities across the US and seeks to inform regulations that would prevent this industry from derailing our critical climate goals.

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PLEASE Call Governor Hochul TODAY!

Now's the time to keep that pressure going by calling Governor Hocul. Our friends at Food and Water Watch have set up a call line to do just that!

Watch: Bitcoin & Fracked Gas

Stopping Cryptocurrency’s Climate Impacts

Bitcoin mining fueled by fracked gas could undermine New York's climate goals – but on October 28th, we discussed our plans to stop this catastrophic threat.

Greenidge Generation LLC’s CEO Dale Irwin Pushes Back Against Vocal Activists

Learn more about two fearless individuals who have been vocal about their concerns surrounding the Greenidge facility. who received threatening letters from Greenidge Generation LLC's CEO Dale Irwin.

A New Dimension to Crypto driving the Climate Crisis: a chat w Yvonne Taylor

Listen: Human Insights with James Cox

Don't miss Yvonne Taylor discussing crypto and climate with James Cox.

Comments from Seneca Lake Guardian Business Coalition and Finger Lakes Wine Business Coalition Opposing Greenidge Generating Station Air Title V Facility Permit

The undersigned members of the Fingers Lakes Wine Business Coalition urge the DEC to deny the Greenidge facility’s Title V Air Permit. We are concerned that the power plant, used as a bitcoin mining operation and its enormous increases in GHG emissions, will adversely impact the vibrant wine and tourism industry in the region.

Yvonne Taylor: The “Accidental Activist” Setting Precedent For Bitcoin Mining In The U.S.

When Yvonne Taylor first heard about Greenidge Generation’s plan to reopen a closed coal-fired powerplant as a natural gas-powered plant, she didn’t even know what Bitcoin was. But pollution from the Greenidge’s facility increased tenfold as it expanded electricity generation to power newly installed Bitcoin mining machines. 

A Bitcoin Boom Fueled by Cheap Power, Empty Plants and Few Rules

New York Times

Cryptocurrency miners are flocking to New York’s faded industrial towns, prompting concern over the environmental impact of huge computer farms.

Call Governor Hochul:

Stop Bitcoin mining fracked gas power plants

Call Governor Hochul TODAY at 877-235-6537 to urge her to halt Bitcoin mining in New York, starting with the Greenidge power plant on Seneca Lake, and Fortistar power plant proposed for Niagara County.

Greenidge and Bitcoin In The News

Recent Videos, Radio and News Articles

A collection of news articles, radio segments and TV news reports about Bitcoin and the Greenidge Bitcoin plant.

Crypto: Climate Change Accelerator, Capitalist Con

WATCH: System Change Not Climate Change Webinar

What the frack is cryptocurrency, anyway? Join us for a critical evaluation...who loves it, what it is, when and where it may be coming, why it's growing so spectacularly, and how it impacts climate.