Warren, Dems seek answers on crypto impact on Texas grid
Democrats led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren are probing how the cryptocurrency mining industry affects the main Texas grid, citing concerns about reliability and climate change.
In a Wednesday letter, Warren and six other Democratic lawmakers asked the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for data on the power used by crypto mining operations, the associated carbon dioxide emissions and the impact on electricity costs to Texans.
The letter also asked for details on payments to cryptocurrency mining companies for curtailing their energy use under programs that kick in for industrial customers when power supplies are tight. Critics have raised concerns that miners — particularly those for the energy-intensive Bitcoin currency — were given hefty subsidies for curtailing use this summer during heat waves, which also helped the crypto industry avoid higher electricity prices.
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The letter was also signed by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) as well as Reps. Al Green (D-Texas), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).
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By: Jason Plautz
Source: E&E News
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