According to a report in CoinDesk, the ongoing debate surroundingmining is overlooking the voices of those most affected by the industry's operations. In upstate New York, where crypto mining facility Greenidge Generation is located, environmentalists have been successful in influencing legislation targeting mining companies. However, local residents near Greenidge feel excluded from the conversation, while the broader debate fails to acknowledge the role the facility plays in their lives.
The Greenidge facility has faced criticism from environmentalists who claim it is responsible for harming aquatic life and contributing to harmful algal blooms. However, the rhetoric used by these critics, including New York Assemblywoman Anna Kelles, has been debunked by state data and direct, on-the-ground experiences. Meanwhile, advocates for the industry are touting the potential benefits of Bitcoin mining, such as investments in renewable energy and improvements to energy grids.