A New York judge has ruled in favor of Greenidge Generation, a cryptocurrency mining operation in the Finger Lakes region, allowing it to continue operations despite state efforts to shut it down over climate concerns. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation had denied the plant an air permit in 2022, citing violations of the state’s climate goals due to high greenhouse gas emissions. However, the court determined that the agency did not provide Greenidge with an opportunity to justify its operations. Environmental groups argue that the plant’s emissions and heated water discharges harm the environment, while Greenidge claims its operations are carbon-neutral through the purchase of carbon offsets.
