Environment
Tompkins County Supports State Moratorium on Cryptocurrency Mining
The Tompkins County Legislature unanimously passed a resolution supporting a state moratorium on Cryptocurrency mining. The moratorium is a part of a bill before the New York state legislature, drafted by Assemblymember Anna Kelles. Cryptocurrency mining can be very energy intensive. Greenidge Generation LLC is a gas-fired power plant on Seneca Lake. They’re currently mining…
Read MoreFatal Deer Disease Found Near New York’s Border
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is invariably fatal for deer. A case was recently discovered in a Pennsylvania hunting preserve near the New York State’s Chautauqua County Border. CWD causes extreme weight loss in deer, and lesions in their brains. It’s caused by a misfolded protein, known as a prion. The disease-associated prion causes normal proteins…
Read MoreEPA is Building Wall To Contain Lead at Ithaca Falls – But is it Enough?
Ithaca Falls is a popular destination for Ithacans and tourists alike, but it’s also the site of a serious lead contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked over the years to address the issue, but are hoping to finally put it to rest by building a containment wall. The lead is a result of…
Read MoreFirst-Time Owl Sighting Enchants Neighborhood Residents
WRFI Contributor Esther Racoosin talks about how she and many other casual birders have developed affection for an Eastern Screech Owl holed up in a dead tree in their neighborhood. For more information about owls, visit http://www.allaboutbirds.org (Photo: courtesy of Esther Racoosin)
Read MoreSchuyler County Legislature Asks DEC to “Study and Develop” Regulations Around Cryptocurrency Mining
The Schuyler County Legislature is calling on the DEC to study and develop regulations around cryptocurrency mining. The resolution was tabled at last month’s meeting in order to give representatives time to research the issue. At Monday night’s meeting, the resolution passed unanimously. Mark Rondinaro chairs the Legislature’s Community Development and Natural Resource Committee, which…
Read MoreNew York State Bill Calls for Moratorium and Environmental Reviews on Cryptocurrency Mining
A new bill in the New York State legislature is seeking to put a three-year moratorium on cryptocurrency mining. The legislation was drafted by Assemblymember Anna Kelles of the 125th district. Kelles made it explicit that this is by no means an anti-cryptocurrency mining bill. She said, “This bill is a pause, an evaluation and…
Read MoreTCAT Unveils Electric Bus Fleet
It was a cold and blustery April day at the Bernie Milton Pavilion on Ithaca’s Common. Over 50 people were admiring a brand new TCAT bus sporting the electric bus logo. TCAT General Manager Scott Vanderpool was on hand to answer questions. He said that he doesn’t know what the change in operating costs are…
Read MoreTorrey Town Planning Board Green Lights Expansion to Greenidge’s Bitcoin Operation
***Correction: The radio story above says that the plant will be mining bitcoin with 45 MW/h of electricicty by the end of 2021. That number is actually 41 MW/h, which could power almost 35,000 homes, not 38,000. ***** At last night’s meeting, the Town of Torrey planning board approved a site plan application for Greenidge…
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