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![](\"https:\/\/images.cointelegraph.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=90,width=840\/https:\/\/s3.cointelegraph.com\/uploads\/2023-08\/066367ef-01d5-4292-9598-1e10111a23c6.jpg\")
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The United States crypto mining industry is getting a new lobbying group, with one of its biggest goals to dispel misconceptions about its sustainability from policymakers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Launched on Aug. 15, the Digital Energy Council said its aim is to advance policies<\/a> that encourage the growth of digital asset mining and energy development.<\/p>\n DEC founder and President Thomas Mapes told Cointelegraph it was \u201clong overdue\u201d for digital asset miners to have a unified voice in Washington.<\/p>\n Its official first member association solely focused on the intersection of digital asset mining and energy ⚡️ policy at the federal level, look forward to working with digital asset and energy leaders check it out: https:\/\/t.co\/kBFRkXHTNy<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/kzNhtfxYZi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Mapes (@tommapes88) August 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Mapes previously served as the director of energy at the Chamber of Digital Commerce. Prior to that, he was chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s Office of International Affairs. <\/p>\n Mapes said it was during his time at the Energy Department that he began to see crypto mining firms as an essential part of the energy ecosystem \u2014 providing energy to the grid during times of demand or purchasing excess energy that would otherwise go unused \u2014 among other benefits. <\/p>\n \u201cI see them as energy companies in the future,\u201d he said, adding:<\/p>\n \u201cI see energy companies, utility companies, power providers \u2014 the big majors \u2014 all taking a look at this new technology and figuring out ways they can get involved in this.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n However, Mapes expressed that many lawmakers have yet to see the industry in the same light.\u00a0\u201cWithin the past year or so, you have pieces of legislation dropping against the industry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Related: <\/em><\/strong>Futurama\u2019s latest reboot takes aim at Bitcoin miners<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In March, the chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Submittee announced the reintroduction of legislation<\/a> accusing crypto miners of \u201csucking megawatt after megawatt from our public grids\u201d and emitting huge amounts of greenhouse gasses, \u201cjust so they can make a buck for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n Mapes cited Biden’s proposed 30% digital asset mining excise tax<\/a> and the White House\u2019s crypto mining environmental impact report as other examples. <\/p>\n Mapes confirmed the association has several founding members, including crypto mining and energy firms \u2014 some of which are publicly listed companies. <\/p>\n Excited to see the launch of the Digital Energy Council, the first association focused on the intersection of energy security and digital asset mining. Their mission to promote responsible energy practices, grid resilience, and economic growth through crypto mining is crucial for<\/p>\n \u2014 Daniel Speiss (@DanielSpeiss) August 15, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The association\u2019s membership and its lobbying efforts will be solely focused on the U.S. for now, he added. <\/p>\n Collect this article as an NFT<\/a><\/em><\/strong> to preserve this moment in history and show your support for independent journalism in the crypto space.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Asia Express: China\u2019s risky Bitcoin court decision, is Huobi in trouble or not?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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