HomeMy WebLinkAboutLAC-PPF Minutes 4.21.22 pdfLAC-PPF Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2022 at 7:00 pm on zoom
Present: Sue Ruoff, Lauren Chambliss, Derek Osborne, Bill Klepack, Ethan Bodnaruk, Joe
Wetmore, CJ Randall, Bronwyn Losey
1.Discussion of cryptocurrency and Code Revisions Committee work
Recent history review -
October 2021 – Somerset sister power plant’s Beowulf and Terawulf have created Lake Mariner
Data LLC, and received approval from town of Somerset for 4 cryptocurrency mining buildings.
SEC filing April 2021 by Beowulf and Terawulf for administrative and infrastructure services
agreement for 100MW bitcoin mining at Lansing property, w/ 500 MW bitcoin at Somerset, 300
MW in Berwick, PA.
Nov 18 LAC-PPF meeting – crypto regs were discussed at meeting. Ed LaVigne attended.
Dec 3 email from LAC-PPF – recommendations sent to Board. At Dec 15 Town Board meeting,
Hilary, Bill, and Bert presented summary of our recommendations. No action taken by board.
LAC-PPF emailed that this topic is time sensitive.
Jan Town Board meeting – decide hold info meeting at begin Feb.
End of Jan: LAC-PPF sent draft moratorium to Town Board, recommended it be quickly passed.
Board followed up with questions.
Feb 2 Special Town Board meeting on crypto and moratorium. Board referred topic to the Code
Revisions Committee
Feb 16 Town Board meeting: Board members voiced that they opposed POW crypto, unsure of
moratorium and ability to regulate with zoning. Bronwyn reminded that externalities can be
regulated. Guy was to draft proposed regulations and add noise and storage container language.
March – email from Joe with report on Code Revisions Committee: tabled further work on the
POW crypto regulations. Did not think that it was possible to regulate land use. Town should
instead rewrite zoning laws.
LAC-PPF today clarified that we are recommending specific land use regulations, not directly
prohibiting a business/industry. The committee is recommending very specific zoning regulations
such as noise, electronic waste disposal and fire safety, all which have successfully and legally
passed in other municipalities.
Anna Kelles’ proposed legislation would not apply to Lansing situation.
Further discussion about possible regulations and challenges. Looking into contacts with NYS
regulatory organizations. Some potential groups mentioned: NYS Public Service / Public
Service Commission, DEC, NYPA and New York State Department of Financial Service,NYISO
(independent system operator).
2. Discussion of comments submitted to town on NYS Climate Scoping Plan - comments
were submitted jointly by LAC-PPF (Ethan & Bert) and CAC (Carrie & Tom)
3. Review of LAC-PPF Charter or Charge from the Town Board
From Bylaws passed 5/14/20 - read at meeting
Next meeting: Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 pm on zoom
Submitted by: Ethan Bodnaruk