Cryptocurrency miners have a new voice in Washington with the launch of the Digital Power Network (DPN), a new alliance affiliated with the Digital Chamber of Commerce. The network is already off to a strong start, with many of the largest miners in the United States joining the network.
DPN was the Chamber’s first affiliate and has many of the same team members. Its origins can be traced to the Chamber of Commerce’s Mining Initiative, which “pioneered the introduction of the first pro-proof-of-work resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Alena Ricci, deputy marketing representative at the Chamber of Commerce and director of marketing at DPN, explained to Cointelegraph that the resolution was filed by Texas Congressman Pete Sessions in March. “Bitcoin mining will play a critical role in rebuilding America’s energy independence,” Sessions tweeted at the time.
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DPN debuted with 11 members: Argo, BitDigital, BitFarms, Coinmint, Cipher Mining, DigitHost, Hive, Marathon, Riot, Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol, and Terawulf. Together, they account for more than 50% of the U.S. Bitcoin (BTC) hash rate, DPN said. According to a statement:
“The Digital Power Network is spearheading policy advocacy for digital asset mining and shaping the future of energy policy. Its mission is to revolutionize energy markets by supporting Bitcoin and blockchain technology.”
DPNs have a tough job. Sessions’ resolution follows a bill reintroduced to Congress in March that would have required the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate cryptocurrency miners. The Biden administration included a 30% tax on electricity used by crypto miners in its fiscal 2024 budget, although the proposal may have been abandoned.
Exciting news!
Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of @digitalpowerUS, a visionary alliance that will revolutionize the energy landscape!Represents more than 50% of the U.S. population #bitcoin computing power, this move will change the rules of the game for future energy policy. pic.twitter.com/8wtpRy1dyD
— Perianne (@PerianneDC) September 19, 2023
DPN will work with the Digital Energy Council, a lobbying group founded in August by former Chamber of Commerce energy policy director Thomas Mapes.
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