New Hampshire Puts Crypto Mining Bill on Hold
The bill, known as House Bill 639, has drawn mixed opinions and triggered a surge of public comments, leading the Senate Commerce Committee to delay its approval. Lawmakers now plan to study the proposal further before deciding whether it should move forward.
Lawmakers Divided Over the Bill
The bill was designed to make crypto mining more open and less restricted. It aimed to stop local governments from setting rules on how much power crypto miners can use or how loud their operations can be. Additionally, it would have prevented local authorities from charging special taxes on digital asset mining.
However, the Senate Commerce Committee couldn’t reach an agreement. After being deadlocked twice, the committee finally voted 4-2 to send the bill for further study, according to reports. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Representative Keith Ammon, stated that the goal is to promote innovation and secure the right to mine crypto within New Hampshire.
Public Concerns About Energy and Noise
The bill sparked a strong public response. Senator Tara Reardon from Concord said she received more emails about this bill than any other during her career. Many residents expressed worries about the environmental impact, high electricity usage, and noise levels from large crypto mining operations.
Some community members also feared that removing local control could make it harder for communities to manage these issues effectively.
Understanding Crypto Mining’s Energy Footprint
Crypto mining, especially for Bitcoin, uses powerful computers that consume large amounts of energy to validate transactions. Although it has faced criticism for its environmental footprint, new research from the MiCA Crypto Alliance and Nodiens shows progress in sustainability.
Coal usage in Bitcoin mining has dropped significantly from 63% in 2011 to 20% in 2024. Meanwhile, the use of renewable energy in mining has been rising steadily by about 6% every year.
The Global Mining Outlook
Around the world, crypto mining is under tight scrutiny. In Canada, the province of Manitoba recently extended its pause on new mining projects to control electricity demand. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin signed new laws to regulate crypto mining, introducing clear rules but not full legalization.
These global developments indicate that governments are attempting to balance economic opportunity with environmental responsibility.
What’s Next for New Hampshire?
The New Hampshire Senate will revisit the proposal in 2026 after further study. For now, the state is taking a cautious approach, aiming to support the growth of the crypto sector while addressing environmental and community concerns.