Plattsburgh Considers Crypto Mining Moratorium Amid Rising Electricity Costs

The city of Plattsburgh in New York is considering imposing a one-year moratorium on new high-energy cryptocurrency mining operations due to rising electricity costs. The proposed land-use measure would halt approvals for computing facilities consuming 300 kilowatts or more, including those involved in cryptocurrency mining.

The city held a public hearing on the proposal and while Mayor Wendell Hughes has not yet approved it, the council is set to revisit the issue in mid-September 2026. This move echoes Plattsburgh's earlier response to crypto mining in 2018 when they imposed an outright Bitcoin mining moratorium.

The current debate highlights the ongoing challenge faced by Bitcoin miners: accessing cheap and reliable electricity. Mining operations require large amounts of power to run specialized computing equipment, which can strain local energy markets and drive up costs for residents.