Federal Judge Halts DOE's Crypto Mining Energy Survey

The temporary restraining order delays efforts to monitor the industry's significant energy consumption amid legal challenges.

A federal judge in Texas has issued a temporary restraining order against the Department of Energy's survey of cryptocurrency miners' energy consumption, delaying efforts to monitor the industry's power use.
The lawsuit, filed by Riot Platforms and the Texas Blockchain Council, argues that the survey's emergency implementation was unlawful and could harm businesses by forcing them to divulge sensitive information.
Environmental groups and some officials argue that monitoring crypto mining's energy use is crucial for understanding its impact on electricity grids and addressing potential vulnerabilities.
Crypto mining's power demand in the U.S. is expected to consume more than 60 terawatt hours this year, nearly the annual electricity consumption of Israel, with projections indicating a global increase in demand.
The industry's opposition to the survey has been criticized as obstructing essential regulatory efforts to ensure reliable and affordable power, especially in light of past power outages and rising energy costs.