New York gubernatorial candidate calls for mining ban

New York gubernatorial candidate Juman Williams called on local authorities to impose a moratorium on the mining of PoW consensus cryptocurrencies due to their negative impact on the environment.

Nine months before the federal elections, Jumaane Williams’ campaign focused on the fight against mining companies,
having criticized lack of clarity in industry regulation. In a speech to environmental activists and residents of the state who do not approve of mining farms near Seneca Lake, Williams called on New York Governor Kathleen Hochul to deny miners work permits in the state.

Williams is convinced that cryptocurrency mining operations not only damage the environment, but also have a detrimental effect on the economy. He cited the example of the Chinese government, which cracked down on miners last year, and believes local authorities should follow suit.

“Twenty percent of US mining farms operate in New York State without oversight or regulation. It is necessary to resolve this issue now, and not “rake” its consequences when it is too late. We need to put in place the right infrastructure to protect Seneca Lake and the entire state from the harmful economic and environmental impacts of mining,” Williams said.

Last fall, local organizations and enterprises approached Hochul with a similar request. They consider it necessary that the city administration revoke permits for the Greenidge and Fortistar North Tonawanda power plants for mining activities. Greenidge has been repeatedly accused of unsustainable mining due to greenhouse gas emissions and water heating in Seneca Lake, but the power plant denies these allegations and claims to have the necessary permits from environmental authorities.