New Hampshire Crypto Mining Bill Faces Uphill Battle

A vote from the Senate Commerce Committee on a bill aimed at deregulating crypto mining in New Hampshire resulted in a tie on Thursday, signaling potential roadblocks ahead. This occurred after senators noted a significant increase in public feedback regarding the proposed legislation since its previous debate. After two deadlocked votes – one on advancing the bill and another on rejecting it – the committee ultimately voted 4-2 to refer the measure for further examination through an interim study, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin. House Bill 639 aims to prevent municipalities from imposing restrictions on crypto mining operations, such as limitations on electricity consumption or noise levels. Furthermore, it would prohibit state and local authorities from levying taxes specifically targeting digital assets. If enacted, the bill would also affirm the right of individuals and businesses to engage in cryptocurrency mining. It also proposes the creation of a specialized blockchain docket within the state’s superior court, where a governor-appointed judge would preside over crypto-related legal disputes. During the bill’s initial vote in May, senators sent it back to committee to refine the language and garner broader support. Republican Representative Keith Ammon is sponsoring the bill, and it is anticipated to be presented before the full Senate in 2026. Senator Tara Reardon of Concord informed the New Hampshire Bulletin on Thursday that the proposal had generated the largest volume of emails she had ever received concerning a single piece of legislation.

US Crypto Mining Landscape

Crypto mining involves utilizing computing power to validate transactions and secure proof-of-work blockchains, like Bitcoin. Miners are then rewarded with newly generated coins. Although the practice has faced criticism for its energy intensity and environmental consequences, the industry has demonstrated considerable advancements in recent years. A recent report by the MiCA Crypto Alliance and data firm Nodiens indicated that coal's contribution to Bitcoin mining has decreased from 63% in 2011 to 20% in 2024. Simultaneously, the use of renewable energy sources in mining has steadily increased, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.8%. Nevertheless, certain US states are exploring methods to offset energy consumption through state-level taxes. On October 2nd, New York State Senator Liz Krueger introduced a bill to implement a tiered excise tax on energy consumed by crypto mining operations. The measure would exempt miners consuming up to 2.25 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, while those utilizing between 2.26 million and 5 million kWh would be subject to a 2-cent tax per kWh.