New York town weighs crypto mining and AI data center ban
One of the first towns in the US to ban Bitcoin mining for 18 months is considering another temporary moratorium extending to data centers and other crypto mining operations.
In a recent public hearing, the town of Plattsburgh, New York, is contemplating a temporary moratorium on crypto mining and AI data center operations for up to a year. Mayor Wendell Hughes and the common council listened to public feedback regarding a proposed law that would prohibit land use related to "certain high energy computing facilities." The moratorium, if enacted, would prevent approvals for facilities requiring at least 300 kilowatts (kW) for 12 months starting from September 17.
Plattsburgh made history in 2018 as one of the first US jurisdictions to ban Bitcoin (BTC) mining due to residents' concerns about soaring electricity costs. The original ban lasted 18 months. Since then, numerous crypto mining companies have shifted their focus towards AI and high-performance computing due to difficulties, escalating power expenses, and decreasing token values.
The current proposal for a moratorium on crypto mining and AI data centers in Plattsburgh reflects the evolving landscape of energy-intensive operations in the region.
Written by urgent.news from Cointelegraph's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
