The British Columbia government has introduced legislation to permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining operations from connecting to the provincial power grid.
The measure, formalized in the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, is a direct response to "unprecedented demand for electricity."
The province aims to reserve its growing supply of clean hydroelectric power for sectors that generate significant jobs and public revenue, such as traditional mining and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
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The government cited concerns from other regions where the cryptocurrency mining boom led to increased electricity rates for residents.