The New York Public Service Commission’s (NYPSC) approval of a fossil fuel-burning Proof-of-Work (PoW) crypto mining facility within a power plant owned by Fortistar served as the basis for the complaint.
Some people refuse to have anything to do with crypto currency, despite the fact that it is becoming increasingly popular and has a significant impact on financial markets worldwide.
On January 13, two environmental groups named Clean Air Coalition of Western New York and Sierra Club filed a lawsuit against New York state agencies, namely: the New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC), Fortistar North Tonawanda, LLC, North Tonawanda Holdings, LLC, and a Canadian crypto mining company Digihost International, Inc. in the Supreme Court of Albany County.
According to Earthjustice, the authorization of NYPSC constitutes an automatic violation of the comprehensive climate law that the state has in place, notably the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
According to the materials filed with the court, the facility would produce up to 3,000% more greenhouse gas emissions if it were used as a crypto currency mining complex. Additionally, it would work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mainly in residential areas like North Tonawanda, Clean Air will continue campaigning against using fossil fuels to create power for bitcoin mining.
The apparent greenhouse gasses that a power station emits as a byproduct while it is operating, the plaintiffs, in this case, make the argument that the societies encompassing the chosen to take power station have been significantly affected and are regarded to be “disadvantaged communities” under the 2019 climate law.
It is argued based on the fact that the plaintiffs contend that the societies encompassing the taken-over power station have been significantly affected.
Dror Ladin, a senior attorney of Earthjustice, commented on the matter as follows:
“Because of New York’s groundbreaking climate law, government agencies are no longer allowed to ignore the climatic and protection of the environmental implications of the decisions they make.”
While obtaining clearance, Clear Air and the Sierra Club expressed their concerns about the environment to the PSC. In response, Digihost announced in public documents that it would convert the plant to sustainable natural gas, with the final goal of just using 100% hydrogen by the end of 2023.
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