- New bill forces crypto miners to hit net-zero emissions by 2035 or face fines.
- Energy-heavy AI and crypto data centers must report power use each year.
- Fine revenue will fund clean energy in areas with high residential power costs.
Senate Democrats have proposed sweeping legislation to regulate emissions from cryptocurrency mining and AI data centers. The “Clean Cloud Act of 2025” introduces mandatory energy disclosures, regional emissions caps, and escalating penalties for non-compliance.
Senators Push for Renewables in Crypto Infrastructure
According to a post by Cointelegraph, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and John Fetterman introduced the bill on April 11, 2025. It mandates emissions limits on crypto miners and AI data centers using more than 100 kW of power. Facilities have to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035 or pay inflation-adjusted penalties.
Repeals the Clean Air Act and gives the Environmental Protection Agency the power to enforce. It also requires detailed electricity usage reports for transparency. These reports allow the EPA to calculate emission intensity and impose region-specific penalties.
In addition to enforcement, the report stated in the update that the bill prohibits operators from passing fines onto customers. All collected penalties will support clean energy projects and municipal electricity relief. The goal is to reduce energy burdens while enforcing emissions accountability.
Clean Cloud Act Details and Compliance Pathway
The reported legislation requires compliance from all data centers exceeding 100 kW energy thresholds defined by the Department of Energy. Emissions caps vary by region and will decline 11% annually until reaching net-zero by 2035. Violators must pay fees based on excess output relative to these thresholds.
To ensure compliance, facilities must file annual reports detailing electricity sourcing and usage data. These disclosures extend to tenants leasing computing infrastructure, including startups and third-party operators. The act ties emission accountability directly to the entity consuming the power.
In response to energy concerns, the legislation redirects fine revenue toward clean power expansion in low-access regions. This mechanism enables faster deployment of renewable infrastructure across the digital asset economy. Lawmakers aim to transition crypto operations without triggering economic disruption.
Political and Industry Reactions to Emission Standards
On social media, the Senate Environment Committee said crypto facilities increase household energy costs while avoiding environmental accountability. The committee stated the Clean Cloud Act ensures tech firms “pay their way” while complying with national energy goals.
At the same time, political challenges remain as Republican leaders support mining growth. President Trump previously announced his ambition to make the U.S. the global leader in Bitcoin mining. His sons are also preparing to take their mining venture public, complicating policy negotiations.
