The Albany Times Union reported that the Mechanicville, NY plant operated by Albany Engineering Corp. is currently mining Bitcoin with some of the power it produces.
"We think this is the oldest renewable energy facility in the world that’s still running,” Albany Engineering Corp. CEO Jim Besha told the Albany Times Union.
He also said the plant "can actually make more money with bitcoin than selling the electricity to National Grid," though, which is why he's taken to mining the cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin mining is an energy-intensive operation that requires a lot of powerful equipment.
"It’s the best [type of bitcoin mining] because we’re using renewable energy," he told the Albany Times Union.
It's not clear how a bill that would ban cryptocurrency mining in New York would affect Albany Engineering Corp.'s plans—which could be another reason why Besha hasn't fully committed to cryptocurrency mining.
That bill, S6486B, passed the New York Senate and is now waiting for a vote from the New York Assembly. »