Lawmakers in New Hampshire have decided to delay a bill that would make crypto mining easier in the state. The bill, known as House Bill 639, drew mixed opinions and a wave of public comment, prompting the Senate Commerce Committee to delay its passage. Lawmakers now plan to study the proposal further before deciding whether to move forward.
Lawmakers are divided on the bill
The bill is intended to make crypto mining more open and less restricted. It was intended to prevent local governments from setting rules on how much power crypto miners can wield or how noisy their activities can be. It would also have prevented local authorities from imposing special taxes on digital asset mining.
However, the Senate Commerce Committee was unable to reach an agreement. After reaching deadlocks twice, the committee ultimately voted 4–2 to send the bill for further consideration, according to law report. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Keith Ammon, said the goal is to promote innovation and secure the right to mine crypto in New Hampshire.
Public concerns about energy and noise
The bill sparked a strong public reaction. Senator Tara Reardon of Concord said she has received more emails about this bill than any other during her career. Many residents expressed concerns about the environmental impact, high electricity consumption and noise levels of large crypto mining setups. Some also feared that removing local control could make it harder for communities to address these issues.
Crypto mining in particular, especially for Bitcoin, uses powerful computers that consume large amounts of energy to validate transactions. Although it has received criticism for its carbon footprint, new research from the MiCA Crypto Alliance and Nodiens shows progress in sustainability. Coal use in Bitcoin mining has fallen from 63% in 2011 to 20% in 2024, while renewable energy use has increased by about 6% every year.
The global mining outlook
Crypto mining is closely monitored all over the world. In Canada, the province of Manitoba recently extended the pause on new mining projects to control electricity demand. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin signed new laws to regulate crypto mining, introducing clear rules but not full legalization. These global movements show that governments are trying to balance economic opportunity with environmental responsibility.
What’s next for New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Senate will revisit the proposal in 2026 after further consideration. For now, the state is taking a cautious approach, aiming to support the growth of the crypto sector while addressing environmental and community concerns.
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