Norway is making a bold move by introducing a new law that will focus on data centers and specifically target cryptocurrency mining operations. The government believes that these operations are undesirable and aims to filter them out of the country. Digitalization Minister Karianne Tung explained that the law will require data center users to register and disclose information about the management and services offered at each facility.
The main objective of this law is to keep certain activities, such as cryptocurrency mining, out of Norway. Energy Minister Terje Aasland highlighted the environmental concerns associated with crypto mining, stating that it leads to large greenhouse gas emissions. He emphasized that Norway does not want to host cheap energy-seeking actors and instead wants to attract serious and socially important players in the computer industry.
Despite its disapproval of cryptocurrency mining, Norway still recognizes the importance of the data center industry. However, the government believes that stricter controls are necessary. Tung believes that Norway should be more selective about which data centers it allows in the country.
This is not the first time Norway has taken steps to address cryptocurrency mining. In 2021, the country considered implementing regulations that would ban crypto mining. Additionally, there were attempts to reverse the power tax cuts that data centers, including crypto mining operations, receive.
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