DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos says he still has concerns over Greenidge Generation’s permit application. (Vaughn Golden/WSKG)
VESTAL, NY (WSKG). The head of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation continues his doubts about whether a controversial cryptocurrency mining operation in the Finger Lakes and power plant will be able meet the regulatory standards to renew their permits.
Basil Seggos, DEC Commissioner said to WSKG he is still concerned about Greenidge Generations’ compliance with the state’s statutory goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act or CLCPA.
Some politicians and environmental activists criticized the DECs decision to extend the time frame for Greenidges’ renewal application for its air pollution permit renewal. Seggos however said that the extension was fair.
Seggos stated that we owe it the applicant to review what they have submitted and to take a deep dive into it. If in fact that shows the ability to comply, then maybe we’ll have a second impression as to whether or not they could comply with the law. But our belief still stands that this is a facility that’s going to have an uphill battle complying with the law.”
The DEC was launched in September AnnouncementGreenidges’ application to renew its air pollution permits was not approved because it did not meet the CLCPA targets. These include making the energy sector zero-emission by 2040. The DEC was to issue a decision on the application by March 31, after several public hearings and public comments. The department DeletedThis date is June 31st.
Greenidge submitted additional measures to her permit application just prior to March’s deadline to prove that the facility would meet the CLCPA. This includes: promiseTo make the plant carbon-free by 2035
“Greenidge fully complies with the states strong environmental standards today and, based upon the facts and the law, this permit renewal poses no impediment to New York meeting its statewide GHG emissions reduction targets in 2030 or beyond, a Greenidge spokesperson wrote in a statement to WSKG.
Seggos indicated that DEC staff were reviewing Greenidges new proposalIt includes the feasibility of its promise that the plant will emit zero carbon.
I appreciate the ambition, but we want to see what the science says, what the facts say on the application and ultimately we’ll make a determination on that and that alone, Seggos said.
Yvonne Taylor is Vice President of Seneca Lake Guardian. Environmental activists claim that the delay in issuing Greenidges permit decisions by the DECs was politically motivated. This is because the deadline of June 31 falls right after the state’s primary elections.
“There is a cost to political cowardice, Taylor said, calling out New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. This non-decision will have serious consequences for Governor Hochul as well as us all. Since Governor Hochul has completely abdicated her responsibility to New Yorkers, we’re now counting on the state Legislature to do the right thing. They have to take the lead and put a moratorium on the dangerous ‘proof of work’ crypto-mining industry.”
LegislationEnvironmental groups are pushing to have a three year moratorium on cryptocurrency mining implemented in the state Legislature. This would include Greenidges Bitcoin mining operation. Anna Kelles, Ithaca Assemblymember (D-125) IntroducedAfter Greenidges plans for expanding its Bitcoin mining capacity, the first iteration a moratorium was passed last year.
Kelles bill failedThe state Assembly passed the bill last year largely due to opposition by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union.
WSKG was questioned about the moratorium legislation at an EventHochul stated in December that she was still considering the issue.
“It’s something that we’re working on with our environmental team, but also making sure that we don’t miss an opportunity to create a new industry here in New York state, so we got to strike the right balance. We’re working on it, Hochul said.
The DEC could deny Greenidges permits. This would be the first time the agency has stopped renewals based upon the CLCPA goals. Last year, the department set an identical precedent. deniedApplications for the Danskammer and Astoria natural gas power stations were received, but these were new proposals.
Last year, the DEC was founded formalizingIts internal policy on how to determine whether a renewal proposal is compliant with the CLCPA. The DraftLanguage: A facility would not be in compliance with the CLCPA if they create a new significant source or increase demand for greenhouse gases.
Seggos stated that the goal is to create a final document that will guide us in our approach to permits in New York. We want to be as aggressive and assertive as possible. The CLCPA is a very important law. The DEC’s charged with enforcing it and we want to expand it as far as we can to address the kinds of permits that are coming in front us.”
Seggos stated that he hopes to implement the new guidance in the summer.
