The crypto mining industry is getting a dedicated lobby group aimed at opening up discussions with lawmakers in Washington.
The United States crypto mining industry is getting a new lobbying group, with one of its biggest goals to dispel misconceptions about its sustainability from policymakers.
Launched on Aug. 15, the Digital Energy Council said its aim is to advance policies that encourage the growth of digital asset mining and energy development.
DEC founder and President Thomas Mapes told Cointelegraph it was “long overdue” for digital asset miners to have a unified voice in Washington.
Mapes previously served as the director of energy at the Chamber of Digital Commerce. Prior to that, he was chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of International Affairs.
Mapes said it was during his time at the Energy Department that he began to see crypto mining firms as an essential part of the energy ecosystem — providing energy to the grid during times of demand or purchasing excess energy that would otherwise go unused — among other benefits.
“I see them as energy companies in the future,” he said, adding:
Excited to see the launch of the Digital Energy Council, the first association focused on the intersection of energy security and digital asset mining. Their mission to promote responsible energy practices, grid resilience, and economic growth through crypto mining is crucial for
— Daniel Speiss (@DanielSpeiss) August 15, 2023
The association’s membership and its lobbying efforts will be solely focused on the U.S. for now, he added.