White House Report, Climate and Energy Implications of Crypto-Assets in the United States

In September 2022, the White House published a report on climate and energy implications of crypto-mining in the US. The report concluded crypto-asset activity is estimated to result in approximately 25-50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, “similar to emissions from diesel fuel used in railroads in the United States.” The report recommended that the US government take steps to ensure crypto mining operations do not reduce electric system reliability or drive up costs on the nation’s power grid. The report also recommends DOE develop energy efficiency standards for crypto mining equipment and collect additional data from crypto miners and electric utilities, including mining energy usage and fuel mix and participation rates in demand response programs