The US wants to investigate the impact of cryptocurrency mining on the environment

According to CNBC, more than 20 House lawmakers, led by Representative Jared Huffman, have sent a letter to the EPA, asking the agency to conduct an investigation into the effects of the process. Mining money electronics to the environment.

Mining cryptocurrency causes the “ploughs” to quickly degrade, which can be a large source of electronic waste AFP

The group of parliamentarians expressed “grave concerns” related to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the activities of the company specialized in digging cryptocurrency. They asked the EPA to clarify whether the enterprise whether it complies with the two laws of Clean Air and Clean Water.

“We are deeply concerned by reports that cryptocurrency mining facilities across the country are polluting communities and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions,” the letter read.

The House lawmakers also said that the rapidly evolving situation of the cryptocurrency industry needs to be brought under control, citing cryptography that requires PoW (proof of work – a form of proof of work). encryption) to authenticate transactions, forcing miners to use power-hungry computers to solve complex formulas.

The letter also complains that PoW adoption by “money farms” using special computer hardware causes “great challenges in terms of e-waste”. More specifically, there will be millions of devices that quickly become obsolete, causing large amounts of e-waste. The group of parliamentarians cites figures showing that bitcoin mining alone has generated more than 30,700 tons electronic waste each year.

In addition to requiring an investigation of companies in the industry to ensure they comply with applicable environmental laws, the congressional group also wants the EPA to work with the community where the mining servers are located to review licenses, to guaranteed “no burden associated with technology This is left to the community”.