A New Legislative Push Against Energy-Intensive Mining
New York is once again tightening the screws on cryptocurrency mining. On Wednesday, State Senator Liz Krueger introduced a bill proposing a tiered excise tax on energy consumption by crypto miners. The proposal directly targets mining facilities that consume large amounts of electricity, one of the industry’s most critical cost drivers.
Details of the Proposed Mining Energy Tax
Under the bill, energy use by mining firms will be taxed in tiers, charged per kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumed:
- ≤ 2.25 million kWh annually → Exempt from tax
- 2.26M – 5M kWh → 2 cents per kWh
- 5M – 10M kWh → 3 cents per kWh
- 10M – 20M kWh → 4 cents per kWh
- > 20M kWh → 5 cents per kWh
Importantly, the bill exempts miners using 100% renewable energy, continuing New York’s stance of encouraging clean energy mining while discouraging fossil fuel-based operations.
New York’s History of Mining Restrictions
This is not the state’s first move against high-energy crypto operations. In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a two-year moratorium on fossil fuel-powered mining operations, which expired in 2024. Clean-energy mining facilities were allowed to continue operations, signaling a policy preference for sustainable blockchain infrastructure.
Impact on Miners’ Profitability
Crypto mining is already a thin-margin industry, where energy costs determine survival. According to TheMinerMag, the median cost of mining one Bitcoin (BTC $120,228) surpassed $70,000 in Q2 2025, largely due to rising energy prices and increasing mining difficulty.
For context:
- The average US industrial electricity cost is around $0.08 per kWh.
- TeraWulf, a major miner in upstate New York, reported a $61.4 million loss in Q1 2025 after energy costs doubled relative to revenue.
Adding a state-level excise tax could push smaller and mid-sized miners out of New York toward more cost-friendly regions.
Competitive Divide: Grid vs. Renewable Energy
The legislation could create a two-tier mining economy:
- Large miners with access to land and infrastructure can build renewable-powered facilities and remain exempt.
- Smaller miners or those relying on retail grid electricity will face significantly higher operating costs, possibly forcing shutdowns or relocations.
This dynamic may accelerate the industry shift toward renewables, but it also risks consolidating mining power into fewer, better-capitalized hands.
Broader Implications
New York’s move follows a global trend of governments scrutinizing crypto mining’s environmental footprint. From China’s outright bans to Abu Dhabi’s restrictions on farmland mining, regulators are increasingly linking crypto policy to energy and climate goals.
If passed, Senator Krueger’s bill would make New York one of the most expensive US states for grid-powered mining, while potentially strengthening its role as a hub for renewable-powered blockchain infrastructure.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.