Aerial view of a coal waste operation in Russelton, Pennsylvania that uses waste coal to power bitcoin mining. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that although waste coal is burned using a different process, it still releases carbon dioxide that contributes to warming the atmosphere. The coal waste in Pennsylvania also releases more acid gas and sulfur dioxide than other types of coal. Photo: SCMP
Aerial view of a coal waste operation in Russelton, Pennsylvania that uses waste coal to power bitcoin mining. Photo: SCMP

By Evanne Yu
25 March 2022

(SCMP) – A company in Pennsylvania has an unusual plan to deal with coal waste – crypto mining. Stronghold Digital Mining uses waste left behind by decades-old coal power plants to generate the electricity for hundreds of supercomputers working to mine bitcoin.

A company in Pennsylvania has an unusual plan to deal with coal waste – crypto mining. Stronghold Digital Mining uses waste left behind by decades-old coal power plants to generate the electricity for hundreds of supercomputers working to mine bitcoin. Video: SCMP

The US Environmental Protection Agency says that although waste coal is burned using a different process, it still releases carbon dioxide that contributes to warming the atmosphere. The coal waste in Pennsylvania also releases more acid gas and sulfur dioxide than other types of coal.

US company plans to use bitcoin mining to clean up coal waste