WASHINGTON – The following is a statement from Scott Faber, Environmental Working Group senior vice president for government affairs, on the report “Climate and Energy Implications of Crypto-Assets In the United States,” issued today by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy:
Today’s report confirms that digital assets are using a significant and growing amount of electricity, and contributing more climate pollution. We applaud the Biden administration for making the impacts of digital assets a priority, and for recognizing that digital assets that rely on proof-of-work use more electricity than other digital assets. We urge Congress and the administration to move swiftly to improve monitoring and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and electricity use, and to set energy efficiency standards that all digital assets must meet, including those that rely on proof-of-work.
At a time when greenhouse gas emissions are increasing, our electric grid is strained, and climate-change-induced extreme weather events are ever present, no industry should be making these existential challenges even greater.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy, and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
