~ 500 Small Businesses, Wineries, Labor Groups, Orgs + More Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign Cryptomining Moratorium

ALBANY, NY (10/11/2022) (readMedia)-- Last week, nearly 500 organizations, businesses, wineries, labor, and faith groups sent a letter to Governor Hochul strongly urging her to sign the cryptomining moratorium (A.7389-C/S.6486-D) without delay. Signatories include 1199 SEIU, Action Center on Race and the Economy, Earthjustice, Finger Lakes Business Coalition, WEACT for Environmental Justice, and NY League of Conservation Voters.

Passed by the NYS Legislature in June, the bill would put a two-year moratorium on new and renewed air permits for fossil fuel plants that want to start proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining, and require the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct a study into the practice's environmental impacts.

The letter reads:

"Allowing for the life of dying fossil fuel power plants to be extended for cryptocurrency mining would take New York backwards in meeting the goals and mandates established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Cryptocurrency mining's energy consumption must be reviewed to see if the practice can align with New York's climate law. Attached you will find a letter sent to you in October 2021 that further details environmental concerns with cryptocurrency mining."

Read the full text of the letter and list of signatories attached and pasted below.

Opponents of the cryptomining moratorium argue that it will kill the industry. The argument is clearly false: On September 15, industry giant Ethereum successfully "merged" from the energy-intensive proof-of-work mining method to proof of stake, reducing the cryptocurrency's energy consumption by 99.95%. Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency (after Bitcoin) and its merge confirms that the industry can innovate and upgrade to more sustainable business practices.

Even the White House is sounding the alarm about cryptomining - in September, the Office of Science and Technology Policy released a report about the industry's climate threats and the need for regulation. But cryptomining continues to grow rapidly across New York and the country. Earthjustice and the Sierra Club recently released a new Guidebook, finding that from July 2021-22 Bitcoin mining in the U.S. alone consumed as much electricity as four states combined, emitting 27.4 million tons of CO2 - equivalent to the emissions of as much as 6 million cars annually.

Despite some positive steps from the Governor and the DEC to limit cryptomining, outside speculators continue to wreak havoc on the state. In June, DEC denied the air permit for Greenidge Generation – a Bitcoin mine in the Finger Lakes – ruling that its operations were inconsistent with the state's climate goals as mandated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Regardless, Greenidge, which is owned by a Connecticut-based private equity firm, is still operating - and expanding - as it appeals the DEC's decision and attempts to renew its water permit without having met the conditions of its expired water permit.

Gothamist recently reported, "The company has added about 10,000 computers and mined about 300 bitcoins in July alone, which would be worth more than $6 million. Their hash rates, a unit of how much power the bitcoin network is using, increased by nearly 70% over the last four months." The added computers mean more greenhouse gas emissions (it's on track to emit at least as much as 100,000 homes), more harm to Seneca Lake (a new study confirms that Greenidge's operations are warming the lake), and a bigger threat to the local $3 billion agritourism industry that employs 68,000 people - all for the 48 jobs that Greenidge has brought to the region. But as Greenidge expands its Bitcoin mining, the company's stock is tanking and its CEO just abruptly stepped down on October 7.

Greenidge isn't the only cryptomining operation threatening New York's climate goals while harming New Yorkers and creating few jobs but big profits for an out-of-state corporation. The New York Public Service Commission recently approved the sale of the Fortistar North Tonawanda power plant (FNT) to Digihost, a Canadian cryptomining company. Digihost has already been mining Bitcoin at the facility using power sourced from the grid, and is now one step closer to generating its own power with fracked gas for proof-of-work cryptomining. Over the last five years, FNT has only produced energy as a peaker plant between 2% and 13% of the time, emitting relatively small amounts of CO2 and other harmful air pollutants. Now Digihost will be able to pursue operating 24/7/365, multiplying its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3000%, all while the rest of New York works to drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenidge and FNT are just the beginning, which is why advocates are calling on Governor Hochul to sign the cryptomining moratorium without delay.

Background

Proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining is an extremely energy intensive process that threatens the ability of governments across the globe to reduce our dependence on climate-warming fossil fuels. Mining requires thousands of machines whirring 24/7 to solve complex equations. The more machines that are running, the faster a coin is mined. Each one of these machines requires energy to run, plus more energy for cooling.

Cryptocurrency mining facilities are major emitters of air pollutants. And when cryptocurrency miners rely on the public grid, they can stick everyday people with the bill. A 2021 study estimates "the power demands of cryptocurrency mining operations in upstate New York push up annual electric bills by about $165 million for small businesses and $79 million for individuals." Powering Bitcoin mining with renewables is not a viable solution, as renewables supply cannot possibly meet the extreme energy demands of Bitcoin mining in addition to daily necessities such as heating and cooling homes and running cars. Any renewable energy that supports Bitcoin mining is renewable energy that is being diverted from the public grid.

On June 30, after more than a year of advocacy by residents, business owners, wine makers, environmental activists, and elected officials, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) denied Greenidge Generation a renewal of its Title V Air Permit. Greenidge has been operating as a 24/7 proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining facility for Bitcoin under grandfathered in permits for other usage.

Located on the shores of Seneca Lake, Greenidge is a once-mothballed power plant that was converted into a bitcoin mine by the private equity firm that owns it. The plant has brought only 48 new jobs to the region compared to the existing $3 billion agritourism economy, employing approximately 60,000 people, while poisoning the Finger Lakes' natural resources. With over 17,000 Bitcoin machines and plans to expand to 32,500, if permitted to continue operating and expanding, Greenidge would emit over one million tons of CO2 each year, equivalent to that of 100,000 homes. Greenidge also sucks 139 million gallons of water each day from Seneca Lake and dumps it back in at up to 108 degrees, risking toxic algal blooms that would make this water source for 100,000 people non-potable.

Greenidge is just the beginning, and advocates are urging Governor Hochul to put a statewide moratorium on proof-of-work cryptomining. New York hosts a significant portion of the U.S.'s Bitcoin mining to the detriment of small businesses, local economies, the environment, and the climate.

At a recent Environmental Conservation budget hearing when asked about the potential impact of the escalating cryptocurrency mining activity in upstate NY on the states energy grid, the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President Doreen Harris stated, "There could be a very significant impact on NY load resulting from cryptocurrency mining depending on the penetration of the resource."

Cryptomining is also at odds with the overwhelmingly popular amendment to the state constitution passed last year, which guarantees every New Yorker the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthful environment. Revitalizing old polluting power plants for private financial gain, with drastic consequences for our air, water and climate, all while causing huge amounts of noise pollution, is now unconstitutional - and ought to be treated as such.

Reform groups Common Cause/NY and NYPIRG have specifically criticized the crypto mining industry for exploiting public resources and straining the energy grid for private gain, and a group of federal lawmakers led by Senator Elizabeth Warren requested details from six major Bitcoin mining companies about their electricity usage and contributions to climate change.

More than 1,000 organizations, businesses, environmental activists, concerned residents, wine makers, elected officials, and more have taken action over the last year in opposition to crypto mining in New York State. A letter sent to Governor Hochul in October was signed by more than 650 individuals and groups. In letters to Governor Cuomo last year opposing Greenidge Generation's expansion from an emergency peaker plant to a 24/7 Bitcoin mining operation, organizations, businesses, and Finger Lakes residents demanded Gov. Cuomo revoke Greenidge's permits due to its massive greenhouse gas emissions, poisoning of the Finger Lakes, and noise pollution, with no economic benefit to the community. Greenidge Generation is still operating in Dresden, NY under grandfathered-in permits granted for use as a peaker plant, not 24/7 Bitcoin mining. Greenidge has applied for an air permit renewal and is awaiting a decision from the Department of Environmental Conservation. Similar fights have occurred in Plattsburgh and Niagara Falls, which resulted in local moratoriums.

About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

About Seneca Lake Guardian

Seneca Lake Guardian is a New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation with 501(c)(3) and is dedicated to preserving and protecting the health of the Finger Lakes, its residents and visitors, its rural community character, and its agricultural and tourist related businesses through public education, citizen participation, engagement with decision makers, and networking with like-minded organizations.

Letter

??October 6, 2022

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York State

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Re: Support for signature of S.6486-D/A.7389-C,

Dear Governor Hochul:

We, the undersigned organizations, businesses, labor, and faith groups, write today to urge you to sign A.7389-C (Kelles)/S.6486-D (Parker) into law without delay. This legislation would place a two-year moratorium on the issuance of new air permits and air permit renewals for electric generating facilities that use fossil-fuels that provides in whole, or in part, energy used for Proof-of-Work cryptocurrency mining, and directs the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct an environmental review.

We thank you and DEC for the important, and precedent-setting decision to deny the Title V Air Permit for the Greenidge Generation power station. This decision aligns with New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and the natural next step to build upon this decision and adhere New York's climate mandates is to swiftly sign A.7389-C/S.6486-D into law.

Allowing for the life of dying fossil fuel power plants to be extended for cryptocurrency mining would take New York backwards in meeting the goals and mandates established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Cryptocurrency mining's energy consumption must be reviewed to see if the practice can align with New York's climate law. Attached you will find a letter sent to you in October 2021 that further details environmental concerns with cryptocurrency mining.

This legislation takes a very measured approach to this emerging concern with two simple provisions:

1. Establishes a two-year pause on the issuance of new air permits and air permit renewals filed after the effective date for electric generating facilities that use fossil-fuels that provides in whole, or in part, energy used for proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining.

2. Requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to issue a final generic environmental impact statement after close of the public comment and public hearing period no later than one year after the effective date.

This bill does NOT:

1. Stop all crypto mining activities in New York.

2. Impact existing mining facilities, mining that plugs directly into the grid (which is how most mining takes place currently), mining utilizing renewable energy sources, or other validation methods

3. Prevent the purchase, selling, trading, holding or use of cryptocurrencies in any manner.

Opposition states that this bill unfairly targets a specific industry and technology. It does not for two key reasons:

1. Other industries are not repowering fossil fuel power plants, and most entities do not require the level of energy needed to demand a whole power plant. New York should not support the repowering of fossil fuel plants for any purpose, given our climate law mandates and the local, statewide, and national impacts burning fossil fuels has on the environment and public health. But we know crypto miners have been repowering fossil fuel plants in NY and across the country, which is why it's important this bill hones in on that

2. Should fossil-fueled crypto mining activities expand as has been projected, this industry could single-handedly jeopardize New York's climate goals due to their energy demand. Based on current, in construction, and proposed crypto mining facilities, energy demand from this industry would be enough to power 750,000 homes – twice the size of Buffalo. We are already seeing this play out in Texas. According to Texas grid operator ERCOT, cryptocurrency miners in Texas will be using an estimated 6 gigawatts of electricity by 2023-the equivalent of what it takes to power every home in the state's largest city, Houston. This is why the environmental review that comes with this legislation is of particular importance.

Additionally, there are very few jobs created by crypto mining, with profits accruing to the few, but the environmental impacts affect us all, particularly low-income communities that are often located near fossil fuel power plants and have been disproportionately affected by ongoing and legacy contamination.[1] Considering the millions, and billions, of dollars being invested by proof-of-work crypto mining operations in rural and often times, economically distressed areas, and how lucrative mining just one Bitcoin has historically been (currently valued at roughly $20,000, down 57% year-to-date),[2] one would imagine the jobs at these facilities would number in the hundreds, similar to the emerging electric vehicle manufacturing industry. Instead:

"A $1.9 billion facility by FX Solutions and Atlas Power near Williston, ND would create around 100 temporary construction jobs and support only 30 employees over the long-term. Meanwhile, the first stage of the project would draw 240 MW of electricity - roughly, the amount of energy needed to power the city of Fargo - and eventually ramping up to a powerhouse 700-megawatt scale."[3]

AboutBit's $50 million facility in Sullivan County, IN - which will extend the life of the Merom Generating Station (a coal-fired power plant), would create 15 high-tech jobs.[4]

Additionally, BIPOC and low-income communities are often near polluting peaker plants – these polluting facilities could be kept online longer if crypto mining continues to ramp up statewide energy demands.

Signing A.7389-C/S.6486-D is critical to ensure New York doesn't undercut its landmark climate law and protects communities. We urge you to keep up New York's momentum following the Greenidge decision to address the hugely energy consumptive proof-of-work cryptomining industry by signing this bill into law.

Thank you for your time and consideration of our comments.

Sincerely,

Todd Hobler

Executive Vice-President Upstate Division

1199 Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers East

Jordan Dale

Secretary

350 NJ-Rockland

Sara Gronim

Co-leader

350Brooklyn

Dorian Fulvio

Steering Committee member

350NYC

Michele Gilliam

Deputy Political Director

Action Center on Race and the Economy

Raul J. Aguirre

Deputy Executive Director

Adirondack Council

George Povall

Executive Director

All Our Energy

Andra Leimanis

Communications & Outreach Director

Alliance for a Green Economy

Dean Rios-Gomez

Executive Director

Atlantic Climate Justice Alliance

Judith Zingher

Green Team Chair

Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, White Plains, NY

Judith Enck

President

Beyond Plastics

Jerone Gagliano

CEO

Bright Building LLC

Jennifer Scarlott

Coordinator

Bronx Climate Justice North

Brian Eden

Vice-Chair

Campaign for Renewable Energy

Brian Eden

Vice President

Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now (CLEAN)

Bob Cohen

Policy and Research Director

Citizen Action of New York

Bryan L Swift

State-level Action Team member

Citizens' Climate Lobby – New York State (CCL-NY)

Laurie Konwinski

Member

Citizens' Climate Lobby SouthernTier/FingerLakes

Tracy Frisch

Co-Founder, Board Member

Clean Air Action Network of Glens Falls

Bridge Rauch

Environmental Justice Organizer

Clean Air Coalition of WNY

Laurel Tumarkin

Co-lead

Climate Families NYC

Thomas Hirasuna

Co-Chair

Climate Reality Finger Lakes Greater Region NY Chapter

Joseph Pepe

Climate Leader

Climate Reality Project

Ken Dolsky

Organizer

Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipeline – NJ

Joseph Wilson

Coordinator

Coalition for Outreach, Policy & Education

Maura Stephens

Co-founder

Coalition to Protect New York

Arthur Kopelman

President

Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island

Abi Buddington

Secretary

Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes

Ruth Foster

Board Member

Community Advocates for a Sustainable Environment

Michel Lee

Chair

Council on Intelligent Energy & Conservation Policy

Robert Schloss

Circle Core Team Leader

Dayenu Rockland Westchester: A Jewish Call to Climate Action

Ken Dolsky

Co-leader

Don't Gas the Meadowlands Coalition

Elizabeth Moran

New York Policy Advocate

Earthjustice

Colleen Boland

Co-Founder

Elmirans & Friends Against Fracking

Conor Bambrick

Director of Climate Policy

Environmental Advocates NY

Marisa Rodriguez

Member Relations & Communications Coordinator

Federated Conservationists of Westchester County

Eric Weltman

Senior Organizer

Food & Water Watch

Brahvan Ranga

Political Director

For the Many

Mark Laster

Co-Chair

Forest Hills Green Team

Irene Weiser

Coordinator

Fossil Free Tompkins

Mary Finneran

Co-Founder

FrackBusters NY

Yvonne Taylor

Vice President

Gas Free Seneca

Patricia Wood

Executive Director

Grassroots Environmental Education

Joseph Naham

Chairperson

Green Party of Nassau County

Manna Jo Greene

Environmental Director

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

Judith M Wiltberger

Owner

Keuka Spring Vineyards

Tawn Feeney

Little Lakes Sustainability Network

Lisa Tyson

Executive Director

Long Island Progressive Coalition

Sheila Out

Organizing Member

Mothers Out Front Tompkins

Guy Jacob

Conservation Chair

Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club

Daniel Chingyu Chu

Energy Planner

New York City Environmental Justice Alliance

Ruth Foster

Director

New York Climate Advocacy Project

Alice Hu

Climate Campaigner

New York Communities for Change

Patrick McClellan

Policy Director

New York League of Conservation Voters

Cari Gardner

Vice Chair

New York Progressive Action Network

Melissa Iachetta

Program Manager

New Yorkers for Clean Power

Tamsin Hollo

Steering Committee Member

Newburgh Clean Water Project

Jerry Rivers

Environmental Scientist

North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE)

Lisa Adamson

Partner

North Country Earth Action

Sue Abbott-Jones

Co-Director

North Country NYPAN

Richard Schrader

Policy and Legislative Director

NRDC

Ruth Foster

Director

NY Climate Advocacy Project

Natalie Polvere

Environment Committee Co-Chair

NYCD-16 Indivisible

Cari Gardner

Directror

NYPAN Greene

Sandra Kissam

Chair

Orange RAPP

Tanya Dwyer

President

Parish House Inc.

Mark A Dunlea

Convenor

PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy)

Doug Couchon

President

People for a Healthy Environment

Laurel Tumarkin

Organizer

Peoples Climate Movement – NY

Vicki Michela

Steering Committee Member

Progressive Schenectady

Victoria Adler

Co-Founder

Queens Climate Project

Gerri Wiley

Co-Founder, Facilitator

RAFT (Residents Allied for the Future of Tioga)

Raju Rajan

President

ReWild Long Island

Jeremy Cherson

Senior Manager of Government Affairs

Riverkeeper

Nancy Vann

President

Safe Energy Rights Group (SEnRG)

Andy Bicking

Director of Government Relations & Public Policy

Scenic Hudson

Joseph Campbell

President

Seneca Lake Guardian, A Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate

Roger Downs

Conservation Director

Sierra Club Atlantic chapter

Fred Pfeiffer

Executive Board Member

Solidarity Committee of the Capital District

Brien Weiner

President

South Shore Audubon Society

Bill Kish

Organizer

Stop Cricket Valley

Suzannah Glidden

Co-Founder

Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion (SAPE)

Gay Nicholson

President

Sustainable Finger Lakes, Inc.

Carol Baum

Organizer

Syracuse Peace Council

Lynn Bailey Saxton

Co-Chair

The Climate Reality Project, Western New York Chapter

Laura Faulk

Co-chair

The Climate Reality Project: Capital Region, NY Chapter

Peter Bardaglio

Coordinator

Tompkins County Climate Protection Act

Regi Teasley

Chair

Tompkins County Environmental Management Council

Amy R Kletter

Chair, Environment Committee

Ulster Activists

Ling Tsou

Co-founder

United for Action

Wes Ernsberger

Chair

UU Congregation of Binghamton, Green Sanctuary

Colleen Boland

Founder

Veterans for Climate Justice

Sonal Jessel

Director of Policy

WEACT for Environmental Justice

Nada Khader

Executive Director

WESPAC Foundation, Inc.

Caitlin Chang

Steering Committee

Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS)

Kurt Krumperman

Public Policy Committee Chair

Zero Waste Capital District

Finger Lakes Business Coalition:

12th Moon Astrology

17th Century Suds

A Holism In Sync

A Stone's Throw B&B

Abelson Law Office

Acorn Designs

Admiral Peabody's Lakeside Lodging

Advanced Remodeling

Airy Acres Vineyard

AKS Apartments, LLC

Aligned Business Concepts

Amazing Grace Bed & Breakfast

American Canoe Association, Atlantic Division

Ann Cain Crusade, R.N., M.S., L.Ac

Ann Sheldon, Life Coach

Another Time Antiques

Anthony Road Wine Company

Applegate Toys

Area Records

Argetsinger Vineyards

Atwater Vineyards

Autumn Leaves Used Books

B&B: 448 East Broadway LLC

Bagley's Poplar Ridge Vineyard

Barnstormer Winery

Barry Family Vineyards

Bear Meadow Folk Instruments

Beef N' Brew

Bella Stone Massage

Bellwether Cidery

Benedict Accounting and Tax Service

Berta's Cafe

Bill Carini Gardens

Billsboro Winery

Bitterwind Hop Farm

Bl.ink

Blackberry Inn B&B

Blecher Electric

Bloomer Creek Vineyard

Boathouse Beer Garden

Bob and Dee

Bob and June's Organic Coffee

Bostwick House B&B

Bottomless Brewing

Boundary Breaks Vineyard

Bout Time B & B

Bramble: Community Herbalism

Bread 'N' Roses

Brian Grafstein LMT

Brian Keeler, Artist

Bumble & Co. B & B

Bunnell Associates

Burdett House B&B

Burford Books

Buried Treasures Organic Farm

Buttonwood Creek Tree Farm

Calm Reflections

Camp Seneca Lake

Cappy's

Capricorn Hill Farms

Captain Bill's & Seneca Harbor Station

Cash and Caring Auction Services

Castle Creek Kombucha

Catherine Cottages

Cathy Emilian Design

Cayuga Chiropractic & Wellness

Cayuga Morning Star B & B

Caywood Vineyards

Charles Limousine Service

Chateau Lafayette Reneau

Chefs for the Marcellus

Cherry Orchard B & B

Church Creative Flooring, Inc.

Cindy Lane-Newcomb; Raven's Landing

Clean Team

Clear Path Healing Arts Center

Climbing Bines Hop Farm and Brewery

Cloud 9 Wellness

Compost International

Cortland Beer Company, LLC

Cottage Views B & B

Cotton Club at the Windmill

Cowlick Farms

Creating Change

Creativelink Photo/Graphics Services

Creekside Cafe

Crestwood Pools Inc.

Crooked Lake Winery

Cummins Nursery

Curry Creek Vineyards

Custom Care Pharmacy

D. Bordwell Editorial Services

Damiani Wine Cellars

Dan Rapaport Consulting

Dano's Heuriger

Daphne's Delights

Darlene Bordwell Photography

David Mooney-State Farm Insurance

Deep Lake Industries

DeMarco Vineyards

Derek's Diner

Dewitt Park Inn

Digital Wires

DigitalWires

DigitialWires

Discovery Massage

Dixie O'Connor, Fine Arts

Down to Earth Markets

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars

DS Hoffman, Luthier

Dundee Scottish Festival of the Finger Lakes

Eagle Crest Vineyards/ O-Neh-Da Vineyard

Earthgirl Flowers

Earthgirl Pottery

East Side Dog Services

Echoes of the Glen B & B

Edible Finger Lakes

Eli Thomas Art

Ely Fruit Farms

Emery Vineyards

Eminence Road Farm Winery

Enigma Skin Care Studio

Eremita Winery

Eve's Cidery

Evolving Studios

Exercise Enterprise

Factivist

Faith Muirhead, Educational Consultant

Farm Kind

Farmer Ground Flour

Farmshed CNY

Finger Lakes Clean Waters Initiative, Inc

Finger Lakes Concierge

Finger Lakes Distilling

Finger Lakes Estate and Auction Company

Finger Lakes Florist

Finger Lakes Foie

Finger Lakes Food Company, LLC

Finger Lakes Gifts and Lounge

Finger Lakes Mill Creek Cabins

Finger Lakes Natural Health

Finger Lakes Soap Company

Finger Lakes Transport and Tours

Finger Lakes Vacation Rental

Finger Lakes Waterfall Resort

Finger Lakes Website Services

Fingerlakes Angling Zone Guide Service

FingerLakes1.com

Firehouse Distillery

Fleur De Lys of the Finger Lakes

FLX Best Wine Tours

FLX Table

FLX Wienery

Forever Green Tree Care Services

Forge Cellars

Fork & Gavel Cafe at Cornell

Fossil and Till

Fox Pond Products

Fox Run Vineyards, Inc

Fox Trot Stables

Free Spirit Design Glass

Free to Be Me Coalition for Peace

Frisch Kitchen

Frog Hollow Marina

Frontenac Point Vineyard and Winery

Fruit Yard Winery

Geneva Bicycle Center

Gentle Giants B&B

GentlyBorne Midwifery

George's Prosound

Gil's Honeybees

Gimme! Coffee Inc.

Ginger Cat B&B

Glacier Ridge Vineyards

Glen Mountain Market

Glendale Farms

Glenhaven Farm Winery

Glenora Wine Cellars

Global Taco

Golden Knight Inn & Suites

Golden Orb Tattoos and Piercings

Good Earth Health Foods

Good Karma Candles

Good to Go! Market

Goose Watch Winery

Graceful Arts Fiber Studio

GRACES (Grass Roots Accomodations Coalition for Energy Sustainability)

Graphic Connections

Greensprings Natural Cemetery

GreenStar Cooperative Market

Gryphon Construction

Halsey's Wood Fire Bistro

Harvest Cafe

Hayward House B&B

Hazelnut Kitchen

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

Heart & Hands Wine Company

Heart to Heart Yoga

Heavily Brewing Company

Hector Handmade

Hector Logging Company

Hector Wine Co.

Hemlock Hills Alpaca Farm

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

Heron Hill Winery

Hipshot Products, Inc.

Hotel Groton

Humble Hill Farm and Lodge

Hunt Country Vineyards

Idol Ridge Winery

Ileen Kaplan Piano Service

Indian Creek Farm

Inner Decisions

Interludes

International Climbing Machines

Irish Carpentry

Italy Hill Produce

Ithaca Acupuncture- Integrative Medicine Center

Ithaca Soap/17th Century Suds

IthacaDomains.com

J & D Landscape Construction

Jabberwock

JCC of Greater Rochester

Jeremy and Erica Crytzer

Jesi Turner, Musician

Joe's Hots

Joseph M Rao Inc.

Journeyman Services

JR Dill Winery

Just a Few Acres Farm

Just Desserts

Kali Herbs

Kate Gustin, CPC - Joy of Living Health and Life Coach

Keep in Touch Therapeutic Massage

Keuka Artisan Bakery & Deli

King Ferry Winery

King's Garden Vineyards

Kingbird Farm

Kirton's Farm Market

Knapp Winery

Krys Cail, Farm and Food Business Development Consulting

Kurtz Construction

Lake City Hobby

Lakehouse B&B

Lakeland Winery

Lakeside Refrigeration Service

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars

Larson Publications

Lawrence Reverby - Attorney at Law

Leaf Kitchen Restaurant

Leidenfrost Vineyards

Lilly Broadcasting

Linda Parks, CPA and Financial Advisor

Linda Ruth Astrology

Live Well Upstate: Massage Therapy and Natural Medicine

Locke's Glen, LLC Vacation Rentals

Macro Mamas

Magnolia Place B & B

Main Street Bike Shop

Manndible Cafe at Cornell/ Fork and Gavel Cafe at Cornell

Marmalade Cat B & B

McGregor Winery

Medleys Cafe & Catering

Michael Turback-Food and Wine Writer

Moon Heart Studios

Moosewood Restaurant

Mother Earth Natural Foods

Muddy Fingers Farm

Native Plant Nurture

Natural Health Family Chiropractic

Nautical Nights B & B

Newell Farm

No Man Services

North East Organic Farming Assoc. of NY

Northeast Band Supply

Northstar Public House

O'Shaughnessy Antiques and Fine Arts Gallery

Odessa Coffee Depot

Old Fashioned Flowers from Fernville Farm

Owl Gorge Productions

Paradise on the Lake B and B

Parker's Grille

Passport Creations

Penguin Bay Winery

Perennial Evolution Farm

Peter Drobny - Glass Consultant

Pi Truck

Pine Tree Farms

Pioneer Printing

Plowbreak Farm

Pompous Ass Winery

Preliminaires Chocolat

Privacy on the Lake B & B

Quality Wine Tours

QWIK Solar

QwikSolar

Rasta Ranch Vineyards

Ravines Wine Cellars

Reagan's Canoe and Kayak Livery

Reality Realty

Red Dove Tavern

Red Jacket Orchards

Red Newt Cellars

Red Tail Ridge Winery

Regional Access

Relax Inn

RENOVUS Energy, Inc.

Rising Sun Reiki

Robinia Redux Locust Fencepost Plantation

Rooster Fish Brewing

Roots and Wings Performing Arts Academy

Rustic Log Cabins

Sabol Farm

Salubrious Farms

Sapsquatch Pure Maple Products

Sawmill Creek Vineyards

Schank Companies

Seneca BioEnergy

Seneca Chief Guide Services

Seneca General Store

Seneca Harbor Station

Seneca Harbor Wine Center

Seneca Lake General Store

Seneca Lake Vacation Rentals

Seneca Lodge

Seneca Lodge Craft Brewing

Seneca Lodge Lake House

Seneca Physical Therapy of the Finger Lakes, PC

Seneca Sailing Adventures

Seneca Shore Wine Cellars

Seneca Springs Resort

Seneca Strategic Consulting, LLC

Seneca Sunrise Coffee

Seneca Wine Boat Tours

SenecaLakeVacationRentals.com

Senecayuga Properties, LLC.

September Hill Midwifery

Shalestone Vineyards

Shaw Vineyards

Sheldrake Point Vineyards

Showboat Motel and Restaurant

Silver Springs Winery

Silver Thread Vineyards

Six Circles Farm

Skyland Gallery

Skyland Guest House

Snug Planet and Snug Solutions

Solar Systems Unlimited

Southern Tier Hops

Squires Accounting and Tax Services Inc.

Stalks and Stones

Standing Stone Vineyard

Staving Artist Woodwork

Stick and Stone Farm

Stomping Grounds

Stone Pillow Pottery

StoneBoat Computing Solutions

Stonecat Cafe

Stony Lonesome Farms LLC

Studio West

subject2change Media

Summit to Stream Adventures

Sun Dance Creations

Sun Garden Grille

Sunrise Hill Vineyards

Sunrise Landing B & B

Sunset on Seneca B&B

Sunshine Natural Foods

Sustainable Viticulture Systems-Proprietor

Suzanne's Fine Regional Cuisine

Swamp Road Baskets

Swedish Hill, Goose Watch, and Penguin Bay Wineries

Sweet Chariot Livery

Sweet Mother Nature

Tabora Vineyards

TAITEM Engineering PC

Tchotchke

The Black Sheep Inn

The Burns Sisters

The Elf in the Oak

The Good Life Farm

The Keep at Newell Farm

The Last Word

The Pearl of Seneca Lake B & B

The Piggery

The Soap Garden

The Water Cottage

The White Gazebo

Themis and Thread

Think Topography

Thomas Merrill Professional Land Surveyor

Three Brothers Wineries

Three Swallows Farm

Three Tree Inn B & B

Thunder Mountain Foods

Thyme Stands Still Fruit and Vegetables

Tim McKinney, Photographer/Writer/Woodworker

Tim Regan

Tim Wells- Furniture Maker

Tom Blecher

Tom Weidemann

Tree Gate Farm

Turbo Taxi

Two Goats Brewing

Two Sisters Cottage on Seneca Lake

Unique Pool Service

Upstate Energy Solutions

Vaping Bad

Ventosa Vineyards

Villa Bellangelo

Waterloo Container

Waterloo Custom Apparel and Gifts

Watkins Glen Massage

Watkins Glen Wine and Spirits

Wayne Schutz

West Haven Farm

West Main Kitchen

West Side Wine and Spirits

White Gazebo Inn

White Wizard Consulting, LLC

Wide Awake Bakery

Wild Flower Cafe

Wine a Bit and More

Wine Forward

Wine on Ice

Wixom Farm

Wolf Tree Farm

Zero to Go LLC

[1] U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy & Commerce Staff, Memorandum, Hearing on "Cleaning Up Cryptocurrency: The Energy Impacts of Blockchains" (Jan. 17, 2021), https://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/Briefing%20Memo_OI%20Hearing_2022.01.20.pdf.

[2] Tanaya Macheel, Arjun Kharpal, "Bitcoin bounces back after falling to new 2022 lows over the weekend," CNBC, June 20, 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/20/bitcoin-btc-rebounds-but-struggles-to-hold-above-20000-.html

[3] Adam Willis, Large-scale crypto mining data center planned for western North Dakota oil patch, In Forum (Jan. 26, 2022), https://www.inforum.com/business/large-scale-crypto-mining-data-center-planned-for-western-north-dakota-oil-patch.

[4] Alex Brown, Startup to Establish Crypto Mining Facility in Sullivan County, Inside Indiana Business (May 11, 2022), https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/startup-to-establish-crypto-mining-facility-in-sullivan-county.