The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is set to survey electricity use by cryptocurrency miners in the United States, according to an EIA press release.
The initiative, authorized by the Office of Management and Budget as an emergency request, will gather data from identified commercial crypto mining companies starting next week.
EIA Administrator Joe DeCarolis stated, “We will specifically focus on how the energy demand for cryptocurrency mining is evolving, identify geographic areas of high growth, and quantify the sources of electricity used to meet cryptocurrency mining demand.”
The survey follows concerns over the energy consumption of proof-of-work cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Dogecoin. Critics argue such mining processes are energy-intensive, while proponents highlight the potential utilization of excess green energy and natural gas.
The EIA’s move aims to comprehend miners’ energy demands better, with public comments invited on the data collection. The agency emphasizes its independent analysis within the U.S. Department of Energy.
This survey aligns with growing efforts to understand and address the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining activities.
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