A bill introducing new requirements and costs for miners in the U.S. state has been unanimously approved.
Nebraska’s Republican-majority legislature recently passed bill LB 526 with a unanimous vote (49-0), introducing several restrictions for large-scale mining operations in the state. While it does not amount to an outright ban, the legislation places new obligations on companies in the sector.
What the new regulation establishes
The measure targets miners consuming 1 megawatt or more and the impact of mining activities on the state’s power grid. Unlike other regulations, this bill does not directly address carbon emissions or other environmental effects, focusing instead on energy resource management.
Key provisions include:
- requiring large miners to cover the costs of necessary infrastructure upgrades;
- introducing mandatory energy usage reporting requirements;
- granting state authorities the discretion to interrupt service.
Impact on mining in the state
At present, Marathon is the only bitcoin mining company with significant operations in Nebraska. Earlier this year, the company upgraded hardware at its site in Kearney, a county with around 6,600 residents.
To become law, the bill now awaits the signature of Governor Jim Pillen, who has described cryptocurrencies as an “important emerging sector”, although he has not commented specifically on mining operations. If signed, the law would take effect on October 1 of this year.
