Quote from: o_e_l_e_o on Today at 08:55:37 AM

In addition, there is evidence that bitcoin miners actually increase the production of green energy and the development of renewable infrastructure. You can't just stick solar panels in the middle of the desert or build a hydro plant 100km from civilization and expect to make a profit - you need people or facilities nearby that you can sell your energy too. Bitcoin miners can be placed anywhere, and so will buy energy from green sources which would otherwise be unprofitable. Because of this, bitcoin mining can lead to the development of new and existing renewable projects which otherwise would not exist.

That's an interesting perspective to consider as well. I wouldn't consider "green" energy as carbon neutral or completely environmentally friendly. Arguably, such infrastructure would benefit the economy primary. Green and renewable energy are ideal when they are able to replace the needs for traditional fossil fuel as a source of electrical generation. In fact, most solar farms, wind turbines, hydrodams, are not very environmentally friendly due to the fact that they will also contribute to the diminishing ecosystem or the production involves processes that are not carbon neutral.

In terms of economic impact, such projects will contribute significantly but if you're considering from the ecological perspective, I don't think the building or expansion of such infrastructure will actually benefit the environment at all and would perhaps bring about less than expected benefits for the economy, given that Bitcoin miners are seeking lower electrical rates and the construction and development of such facilities would bring about an increase in electrical prices and I doubt they will ROI in the short run.