Cryptomining catastrophe looming, with many Texans part of the fault

Texas has more than 60 bitcoin mines (and growing) reports the Observer. Per the story, were or are local government elected officials who voted for these projects more sincerely clueless or more capitalist bullshitters? I think you know my answer. The story adds that the Public Utility Commission is compiling a list of the worst of these, but it doesn't want John Q. Public to see.

This:

Last November, the PUC belatedly passed a rule that required companies operating mines consuming over 75 MW to report basic information about their mines’ locations and energy consumption. But, in March, the commission denied an Observer records request for that registry, citing “national security concerns” and suggesting that “bad actors” may be intentionally operating mines in ways that could disrupt the grid. 

The state attorney general’s office then sided with the Observer, advising the PUC to release much of the information. But the agency sued the AG to block disclosure, arguing that the information “could be used by terrorists in planning attacks on Texas’s energy grid and critical infrastructure through manipulation of the volume of available reliable electricity.” 

The AG’s response to the PUC’s appeal to withhold the list did provide sufficient information to confirm that only 13 cryptomining companies, a fraction of the total number operating in Texas, had registered as of February. The commission has yet to fine any company for failing to comply with the 2024 rule, even though an Observer analysis has identified mines above 75 MW associated with at least one firm that appears unregistered.

Is what the Observer is talking about. And, that's interesting that Kenny Boy, or at least one of his minions, was actually in the right on open records and public access.

And, here's what this expansion will cost John and Jane Q. Public:

Texas has more than 60 bitcoin mines (and growing) reports the Observer. Per the story, were or are local government elected officials who voted for these projects more sincerely clueless or more capitalist bullshitters? I think you know my answer. The story adds that the Public Utility Commission is compiling a list of the worst of these, but it doesn't want John Q. Public to see.

Argh! The rich getting richer off the poor. 

With that, there's no excuse for any future Roland Barrera types. He's the former Corpus Christi councilcritter who said I didn't know, then took campaign bucks when running for the state House.

Given all the above, and the lack of legal powers counties have, there's also no excuse for John and Jane Q. Public in rural East Wingnutistan to vote against incorporating to get more legal powers, as happened in Hood County Nov. 4. Go fuck yourself, fuck your "anti-gummint" world and fuck any more bitching to the general public. (It failed by a 3-2 margin.)