New Hampshire Halts Crypto Mining Bill

In New Hampshire, residents are increasingly voicing complaints about the noise and high energy consumption caused by cryptocurrency mining operations. These concerns have led the state senate to halt work on a bill that would have made it easier for such companies to operate by limiting local governments’ ability to regulate them.

The proposed House Bill 639 would have prevented cities and towns from enacting their own rules on crypto mining — such as restrictions related to noise levels or energy usage. It also included a ban on imposing special taxes on digital assets and affirmed the right of individuals and businesses to engage in mining activities.

However, public opposition proved strong enough to stall the legislation. Senator Tara Reardon of Concord said she received a record number of messages from constituents regarding the issue. After two inconclusive votes, the Senate Commerce Committee decided, by a 4–2 margin, that the bill required further review and sent it to an “interim study.”

The bill’s author, Republican Representative Keith Ammon, also proposed the creation of a special division within the state court system to handle disputes related to blockchain technology. The measure is unlikely to return for a full Senate vote before 2026.

Cryptocurrency mining has long been a source of controversy across the United States. While the share of coal in powering the Bitcoin network has dropped from 63% in 2011 to 20% in 2024, and renewable energy use is growing by an average of 5.8% per year, some states — such as New York — have sought to limit the industry’s environmental impact through new energy-consumption taxes.