US Authorities Consider Requiring Disclosure of Energy Usage Data: Bitcoin Mining Industry Alerted US Government Eyes Energy Data Disclosure: Bitcoin Miners On Notice
The U.S. Department of Energy has revealed plans to gather information on the energy consumption of cryptocurrency mining operations in the coming week. Additionally, there has been a surge in Bitcoin mining, with both the recording of transactions and financial exchanges reaching all-time highs. Cryptocurrency Miners Mandated to Disclose Their Power Consumption Information. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed on January 31 that it has begun a temporary survey designed to gather information on the power usage of certain cryptocurrency mining businesses in the United States. This urgent survey, referred to as the “Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities” survey, received approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on January 26, 2024, to proceed with an expedited data collection request. Starting from the following week, the EIA plans to commence the data gathering process from a select group of cryptocurrency mining operators. Mining operators will be obligated to provide information concerning their energy consumption. The agency plans to seek feedback from the public regarding the collection of energy consumption information from cryptocurrency miners. As outlined in the OMB’s findings, the EIA’s gathering of energy usage data will: Create an initial profile of the cryptocurrency mining companies included in the study; measure the growth rate of cryptocurrency mining within these companies; determine the power supply types for U.S. based cryptocurrency miners in the group; and pinpoint regions within the United States where cryptocurrency mining activities are densely clustered based on the companies under review. Joe DeCarolis, the head of the EIA, announced the agency’s plan to investigate and report on the energy impacts of cryptocurrency mining operations in the U.S. He highlighted in a press statement from the EIA that their research will concentrate on tracking the progression of energy consumption for cryptocurrency mining, locating areas with significant expansion, and calculating the electricity sources used to satisfy the demand of cryptocurrency mining. EIA’s Electricity Authority, Glenn McGrath, conveyed to Reuters that they consider it an important demand factor deserving of their work to measure it. He mentioned that more inquiries need addressing until they are able to support the activity with improved data. The possible rise in Bitcoin mining operations.