Cryptocurrency mining is associated with a lot of power consumption. Companies related to crypto mining are known to draw a lot of energy from the power grids. As such, Missoula County has moved to pursue new regulations under the interim emergency zoning that will see large energy consumers such as crypto miners come under them. The decision to pursue the new directives came after the county staff resolved to create resolutions that sought to achieve a carbon neutral county in the next 16 years.
Dave Strohmaier, a Commissioner in the county, said that they had adopted climate resolutions and he was hoping for the adoption of a 100 percent clean energy resolution in the next months. As such, allowing the expansion of cryptocurrency would only serve to derail its objectives. He noted that they had put the move on hold in the previous year as they could not justify it as an emergency. However, as at the moment, addressing climate is paramount. As such, if the world is to achieve global resolutions, action must begin at the local level.
Instituting the moratorium is yet to be authorized. However, Cola Rowley and other commissioners thought that the emergency appeared more imminent. Diana Maneta, the energy sustainability director in the county, had furnished them with the current trends in regards to energy consumption by crypto miners. She estimated that the energy use would triple after the expansion of cryptocurrency operation in Bonner. Maneta said that the mining operation consumes energy equivalent to a third of the energy consumed by houses in Missoula County. The intention of the firm to triple its size means that it would draw energy equivalent to all homes in the county.
The mining process involves solving complicated mathematical computations. Consequently, it requires high powered computers. When successful, the currency goes in a public ledger called Blockchain. As more miners join the chain, the puzzle becomes increasingly sophisticated and thus requiring more computing power and electricity. The commission has directed the county staff to create zoning regulations that will lessen the adverse effects of crypto operations.
The County’s resolutions that sought to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2035 were passed unanimously. The formation of a climate action team in conjunction with city officials is underway. It is meant to fast track the resolutions. Among the quick measures to be implemented include cutting down on its 2016 greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent. With the carbon neutral resolutions, Missoula joins over 280 cities dedicated to reducing the greenhouse gases.
