Advocates say delays in a high-stakes cryptomining case are putting New York’s landmark climate law on the line — and they’re blaming Governor Kathy Hochul for letting it happen.
At a virtual press conference today, Finger Lakes residents, environmental groups, and Assemblymember Anna Kelles urged the state to finish legal hearings on Greenidge Generation by the end of the year. The company has been running a gas-fired cryptomining operation on Seneca Lake under a denied air permit — and hearings over its future have now been delayed three times this summer.
“Greenidge continues to delay, delay, delay and keep killing our climate in the meantime, and now the Governor is enabling Greenidge’s obvious, disgusting tactics,” said Yvonne Taylor of Seneca Lake Guardian. “We will continue to fight back until Greenidge shuts down for good.”
A long battle over climate law
Greenidge’s case has been in legal limbo since the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) denied its air permit, citing New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Greenidge appealed, and after multiple rulings upheld the permit denial, the Yates County Supreme Court still gave the company another shot to prove it could operate legally.
Since then, Greenidge has filed a series of delay requests. Its power plant — which once ran just 48 days a year — now runs nearly year-round. In 2024, it emitted over 417,000 tons of CO₂, a 960% increase from 2019.
Speakers today called the delay strategy deliberate.
“By granting Greenidge’s repeated requests for delays, Governor Hochul is delaying accountability,” said Irene Weiser of Fossil Free Tompkins. “Why is the Governor denying enforcement of the DEC’s decision to uphold the climate law and protect New Yorkers?”
Delays continue as pollution spreads
The latest adjournment came after Greenidge cited misleading claims that the state’s draft energy plan shows a need for more fossil fuels. Advocates say that’s false — and irrelevant — because the plan doesn’t mention Greenidge or any specific power source.
The DEC is now reviewing broader environmental impacts of cryptomining statewide, but the draft report is still open for public comment.
Meanwhile, residents say they’re stuck living with nonstop pollution — from noise, air emissions, and threats to water quality.
“The persistent 24/7 noise pollution from the site continues to harm nearby residents’ health, and they’re completely fed up,” said Abi Buddington of the Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes. “We need the hearings completed by the end of this year.”
Local leaders and winemakers weigh in
Several speakers warned that Greenidge’s operations threaten more than the environment — they could damage the region’s multi-billion-dollar wine and agritourism industries.
“Our beautiful Seneca Lake is the lifeblood to the region’s agritourism trade,” said Vinny Aliperti of Billsboro Winery. “We must protect her from this major polluter.”
Assemblymember Kelles said the delays show a deeper flaw in how polluters are able to exploit state law.
“This latest delay in the enforcement of New York State law highlights a glaring problem with our permitting process,” Kelles said. “It’s time that the state steps up to show New Yorkers that we care more about their energy affordability, clean air, and clean water than we do big corporate interests.”
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