Crypto Mining Environmental Scrutiny Persists Through Price Drop

Cratering Bitcoin prices over the last year haven’t dampened interest from cryptocurrency miners—or the persistent scrutiny from regulators and environmental groups over the climate effects and local impacts of the energy-guzzling facilities.

A report published Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group documents the air, climate, water, and noise pollution caused by cryptocurrency mining in six US communities. The report comes as federal and state officials and lawmakers debate whether to welcome or discourage the nascent industry in the wake of New York’s two-year ban on some new crypto mines pending a state environmental review.

Environmental ...