The New York State Senate has approved a two-year moratorium on cryptocurrency mining using electricity generated from carbon sources. CoinDesk writes about it.

We’re talking about a bill that would freeze current levels of carbon emissions from mining. Previously, the document was passed by the lower house of the state Legislature.

Operating companies or those in the process of obtaining permission to issue digital assets will continue to operate. Authorities plan to study the potential environmental impact of Proof-of-Work mining over a two-year period.

Democratic Senator Kevin Parker noted that there is currently only one business in the state that is not affected by the restrictions. According to him, the authorities are also considering an application, but a decision on this can be delayed until the end of the study.

The document will go into effect after it is signed by the state’s governor, Kathy Hokul.

In February 2022, New York gubernatorial candidate Juman Williams urged current state officials to ban the mining of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the Proof-of-Work algorithm.

In April, a group of US congressmen asked the Environmental Protection Agency to review the mining industry for environmental risks and compliance with applicable laws.

In particular, they mentioned the company Greenidge Generation, which in July 2021 was accused of environmental violations by local residents. However, they did not state that the state Supreme Court did not see the negative impact “on the air or water of Seneca Lake” from the construction of the mining businesses.

Later, more than 50 representatives of the bitcoin industry denied politicians’ fears. In their letter to the institution, they described the concept of mining as wrong and emphasized that data centers are consumers of electricity that does not emit carbon.

Recall that the US remains the leader in terms of share in bitcoin hash rate, with 37.8%, surpassing China.