Cryptocurrency mining has come to the attention of environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, for the many ways it is harmful to the environment and undermines our climate change goals. This unregulated industry utilizes enormous amounts of electricity to power and to cool specialized computers which run 24/7 to solve complex mathematical problems. All of this work is to win one Bitcoin. Then it starts again where this ‘number guessing game’ is going on simultaneously in crypto mining sites all over the world.

The U.S. currently has no regulations in place. This level of energy consumption puts climate change goals at risk, including the ability to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Multiple installations in North Carolina are creating concerns about excessive noise, energy use and electronics waste material.

Join the WNC Sierra Club/WENOCA on Thursday, January 5th, at 7 pm, for a panel discussion about the energy, environmental and community impacts of crypto mining operations.  The panel will feature attorney Rob Altenburg, Senior Director for Energy and Climate at Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future, along with Yvonne Taylor, Abi Buddington, and Cyndie Roberson.

This free program is open to the public on Zoom. Advance registration is required. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with information about joining the program.

For more information, contact  Judy Mattox at judymattox15@gmail.com or (828) 683-2176.