Study Reveals Bitcoin Mining’s Cross-State Pollution Impact
- Between August 2022 and July 2023, 1.9 million Americans were exposed to harmful fine particles from Bitcoin mining.
- Affected areas include New York City, Houston/Austin metropolitan area, Northeast Texas, and Illinois/Kentucky border.
- Research led by Dr. Francesca Dominici at Harvard found that Bitcoin mines increase fossil fuel power plant activity in other states.
- The study analyzed data from the 34 largest Bitcoin mines in the U.S.
- Federal action is suggested to address regulatory gaps in cross-state pollution.
The study highlights that electricity use by Bitcoin mines can lead to increased fossil fuel emissions across state lines, affecting air quality for millions of Americans without direct recourse against the polluting sources.
Source (2.6)https://decrypt.co/314682/harvard-led-study-reveals-bitcoin-mining-spreads-air-pollution-interstate?rand=52368
