The Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced its intention to restart efforts to survey cryptocurrency mining companies this year, as revealed in a webinar on July 10.
The EIA aims to commence survey activities as early as the current quarter.
However, the Federal Registrar currently does not list any ongoing or pending efforts to conduct such surveys, as per the report.
During the recent webinar, the EIA solicited feedback from the public and industry stakeholders. Discussions centered around the types of data future surveys should gather, the utility of existing data, and strategies for designing effective surveys.
The EIA acknowledged gaps in its current information, citing difficulties in distinguishing mining operations from other energy consumers. It highlighted the challenge posed by mining companies relocating to areas with cheaper energy, complicating monitoring efforts.
Addressing previous controversies, stakeholders proposed alternative approaches to the EIA’s data collection efforts. Lee Bratcher, founder of the Texas Blockchain Council, suggested broadening surveys to encompass all data centers rather than exclusively targeting crypto miners. Jayson Browder, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Marathon Digital, echoed similar sentiments.
Margot Paez from the Bitcoin Policy Institute recommended collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, suggesting the lab could collect and anonymize data on behalf of the EIA.
Participants from the Digital Energy Council and Blockchain Association also participated in the webinar, reflecting a broad industry interest in the EIA’s survey initiatives.
The EIA initially planned to launch a mandatory survey in late January, securing emergency approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). However, legal challenges ensued, with the Texas Blockchain Council and Riot Platforms filing a lawsuit against the EIA in February. The lawsuit argued procedural lapses, including insufficient public comment periods and emergency approval criteria.
Following the pause of survey activities in late February, the EIA eventually agreed to settle the lawsuit in March, pledging to either destroy or securely store the collected information.
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