• The survey was preceded by an “emergency collection of data request.”
  • A six-month energy consumption evaluation of selected U.S.-based miners will start this week.

Bitcoin mining is being examined more closely by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This week marks the beginning of a six-month energy consumption evaluation of selected U.S.-based miners by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA is a statistics department under the Department of Energy (DOE). The survey was preceded by an “emergency collection of data request.”

The current administration’s crypto-critical tone and the wording of the “emergency” order have many concerned that the data gathered might be utilized to craft regulations that hurt the mining business. Crypto mining for data collection might cause “public harm,” according to the EIA’s public filing.

Preconceived Notions

However, just because the poll isn’t trying to influence policy doesn’t mean it won’t. It is reasonable to assume that the EIA has preconceived notions. Especially, about the answers to questions on Bitcoin’s societal advantages and its bigger purpose just by conducting this poll.

To back up its claims that cryptocurrency is dangerous, the government cited a 2018 cold spell in Plattsburg. Since then, unless they use only renewable energy, new cryptocurrency mining operations in New York State are not allowed to start for two years.

The EIA is inquiring about mining companies’ power use, the number and kind of chips they’re using, and the percentage of that electricity that goes toward mining in a public survey.

It should be noted that the reduction of the country’s carbon footprint has been a priority for the Biden administration. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who is quite skeptical of cryptocurrency, has urged federal authorities to require cryptocurrency miners to report their energy use and emissions.

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