The officials based in Plattsburgh, New York want to expel Bitcoin mining centers from the small town. They have submitted a moratorium at the Mayor’s Office.

The officials have filled a moratorium against Bitcoin miners

A number of politicians in the town of Plattsburgh have expressed their concern through a moratorium that would ban Bitcoin miners from carrying out their activities on the city’s territory. The main reason they want to ban the mining centers is the high consumption of electricity as well as unbalancing the environment.

On 2 March 2018, a local law was submitted, named §270-28-J under Chapter 270. The public hearing regarded to the moratorium will take place on 15 March 2018 at the Common Council Chambers.

The Mayor explained about his proposal that “This local law shall impose a moratorium on applications or proceedings, or the issuance of approvals or permits for commercial cryptocurrency mining operations in the City of Plattsburgh”.

“The moratorium imposed by this local law shall be in effect for a period of eighteen (18) months from the effective date of this local law”, he added.

“Any firm, person, corporation, or other entity that shall establish, place, construct, erect or in any way site or locate a Commercial Cryptocurrency Mining operation described in this local law in the City of Plattsburgh in violation of the provisions of this Local Law shall be subject to, in addition to any penalties prescribed by state or local law, a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.00 for each day or part thereof during which such violation continues.”

10% of the town’s power is consumed by miners

By the end of February 2018, the Mayor Colin Read has stated to the New York Times about how mining activities have consumed 10% of the town’s power.

Colin Read noted that he would rather prefer energy consumption to have an impressive number of employees in the back office and not just technical machines. He compared the mining centers with Mold-Rite Plastics, which consumes a lot of electricity but has more than 200 employees.

“The mining companies? They hire a security guard, and a guy who comes when something breaks”, added Read.

First, the moratorium should pass through the public hearing and only then to move forward. Thus, all the mining centers based in Plattsburgh will have to defend their business activities in case they prefer to stay on the market.