Pause Climate-Killing Cryptomining Now! Advocates, Electeds, FLX Biz Owners to Rally @ Capitol

Coalition urges Gov to reject Greenidge air permit renewal and place moratorium on proof-of-work cryptomining across NYS

ALBANY, NY (03/23/2022) (readMedia)-- On Wednesday, Finger Lakes business owners and residents will join advocates and electeds at the Capitol to call on Governor Hochul to place a moratorium on unchecked, climate-killing cryptomining. On March 31st, the Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to announce their decision on the permit renewal for Greenidge Generation, a 24/7 bitcoin mine in the Finger Lakes currently operating under grandfathered-in air permits. The group will also urge the Governor and DEC to deny the permit. Greenidge is the test case for cryptomining in New York.

After China banned cryptomining, citing the environmental threats the practice poses to meeting emissions reduction goals, speculators are flocking to upstate New York to take advantage of the state's nonexistent environmental regulations. In this race to the bottom, New York State now hosts 20% of the country's rapidly-growing crypto mining industry, all to the detriment of small businesses, local economies, the environment, and the climate. By repowering dirty fossil fuel plants like Greenidge, cryptomining threatens to make it impossible for New York State to meet the critical zero-emissions climate goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

**This event will be livestreamed**

WHO:

Yvonne Taylor, Vice President, Seneca Lake Guardian

Assemblymember Anna Kelles

Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate, EarthJustice

Blair Horner, Executive Director, NYPIRG

Senator Rachel May

Colin Read, former Mayor of Plattsburgh

Jesse Beardslee, Finger Lakes small business owner

Michael Warren Thomas, Voice of the Finger Lakes

Doug Bullock, First Vice President at Albany Central Federation of Labor

Dr. Anthony Ingraffea, Professor of Civil/Environmental Engineering, Cornell University

Dr. Howard Freed, Former Director of DOH Department of Environmental Health Assemblymember Dick Gottfried

Abi Buddington, Town of Torrey property owner

Ken Camera, Geneva City Council Member

Steve Churchill Town Board of Seneca Falls

Assemblymember Steve Otis

Eric Weltman, Senior Organizer, Food & Water Watch

Roger Downs, Conservation Director, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter
WHAT:

 Advocates, electeds, and business owners rally and demand Governor Hochul to impose a moratorium on cryptomining and DEC deny Greenidge Generation’s air permit renewal.
WHEN: Wednesday March 23, 2022 at 11:00AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: The Capitol
War Room, 2nd Floor
State St. and Washington Ave.
Albany, New York 12224
NOTES:

 This event will be livestreamed on Seneca Lake Guardian's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SenecaLakeGuardian/