This bill establishes regulations for cryptocurrency mining operations in Nebraska, defining key terms such as "cryptocurrency mining," "cryptocurrency mining operation," and "public power supplier." It grants public power suppliers the authority to impose requirements on cryptocurrency mining operations to cover the costs of necessary infrastructure upgrades. These requirements may include direct payments or letters of credit and must be fair, reasonable, and not discriminatory. Additionally, public power suppliers are required to conduct load studies to assess the impacts and costs associated with these operations before imposing any requirements.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that individuals intending to set up cryptocurrency mining operations must notify their local public power supplier and comply with interconnection requirements. Public power suppliers are also required to publicly disclose the number of cryptocurrency mining operations they oversee and their annual energy usage. The bill allows public power suppliers to interrupt electric service to these operations based on established rate schedules and policies. The act is set to become operative on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 70-655