According to Blockworks, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., is pushing back against a recently-approved emergency request that would collect data from bitcoin mining operations in the United States. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) last month greenlighted the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) request for emergency clearance to conduct a mandatory survey on the location of and energy usage patterns of bitcoin mining operations across the country. Emmer expressed his deep concern regarding the OMB’s usage of these authorities, as bitcoin miners do not present a threat to public safety.
The EIA currently estimates that in 2023, bitcoin mining used between 0.2% and 0.9% of global demand for electricity. In the US, the agency believes bitcoin mining probably represents between 0.6% and 2.3% of consumption. The EIA has identified 137 bitcoin mining facilities across 21 states, with the highest concentrations in Texas, Georgia, and New York. Operations contacted by the agency are required to respond with details related to their energy use.
Emmer is requesting the OMB explain why the agency opted for an emergency authorization versus normal clearance procedures. The Representative also wants to know if the agency will seek criminal charges against companies who refuse to respond to the survey request. The EIA said earlier this month it will start collecting data immediately and expects to share preliminary results by the middle of this year.
