After the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s attempt to survey crypto mining companies about their energy consumption was blocked by a lawsuit, the department is preparing to try again — but this time, it's getting input from crypto industry participants first. 🧐

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) held a public webinar on Wednesday and received comments from interested members of the public, including crypto miners and industry participants, about how such a survey should be prepared. 🎙️

In January, the agency offered a mandatory survey to nearly 500 “identified” commercial crypto miners who would otherwise face civil and criminal penalties. This proposal received a huge backlash from miners, and the Texas Blockchain Council (TBC) and Riot Platforms filed a lawsuit against the mining company, DOE, EIA, OMB, and various authorities. 🏛️

The EIA agreed to temporarily suspend their surveys – now, they're trying again.

More than 100 attendees attended EIA's 45-minute webinar on Wednesday, and 10 people — crypto miners, industry participants, researchers and one member of the public — spoke. 🎉

Bitcoin researcher Margot Paez, who acknowledged that the EIA should have conducted the survey, said the industry was "suspicious" of the EIA's motivations and suggested selecting an outside agency to conduct the survey.

Lee Bratcher, president and founder of the Texas Blockchain Council, suggested that the EIA include traditional data centers in its survey.

EIA official Stephen Harvey said including traditional data centers in its surveys was "clearly on the table." 🤔

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