A Texas judge on Feb. 23 granted a temporary restraining order in a proceeding involving the Energy Information Administration’s recently announced plan to collect data tied to the electricity consumption associated with cryptocurrency mining activity.
EIA on Feb. 1 detailed its plans to focus on evaluating the electricity consumption associated with cryptocurrency mining activity. “Given the dynamic and rapid growth of cryptocurrency mining activity in the United States, we will be conducting a mandatory survey focused on systematically evaluating the electricity consumption associated with cryptocurrency mining activity, which is required to better inform planning decisions and educate the public,” EIA said an analysis posted on its website.
The Texas Blockchain Council alongside one of its members, Riot Platforms, on Feb. 22 initiated legal proceedings against EIA, “challenging an alleged unprecedented and illegal data collection demand against the bitcoin mining industry.”
A hearing on the motion was held on Feb. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Waco Division.
The Court believes that the Temporary Restraining Order should be issued because Plaintiffs have met their burden under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65,” wrote Judge Alan Abright in his decision issued on Feb. 23.
“Under Rule 65, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have shown through a verified complaint and supporting evidence that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result if a TRO is not issued. Plaintiffs have also shown a likelihood of success on the merits on their claims under the Administrative Procedure Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and the Declaratory Judgment Act,” the judge said.
Albright said that the plaintiffs have demonstrated that they are likely to succeed on the merits.
He scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing to be held February 27, 2024.
