BC Bans Crypto Mining: Power Grid Overloaded by 2025? 🧠⚡

This week, the government of British Columbia, in a stunning act of fiscal responsibility, announced it will permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining connections to the province’s electricity grid to protect the power supply. Because nothing says “I’m a responsible government” like telling miners to go find their own electricity, presumably from a teapot. 🧋

The move makes Canada’s third-largest province a non-viable location for new grid-connected mining facilities. It’s like telling a pirate they can’t use the sea anymore-except the sea is now a bunch of electrons and the pirate is a guy in a basement with a fridge full of GPUs. 🐳💻

Permanent End for Grid Crypto Expansion (Or How to Ruin a Good Thing in Three Easy Steps)

British Columbia is moving to make its temporary restriction on new cryptocurrency mining connections a permanent ban, according to legislation introduced this week. It’s the kind of decision that makes you wonder if the government’s idea of “temporary” is a decade-long nap. 🛌

The move closes the door on expanding industrial-scale crypto mining within the province. It effectively cements British Columbia as one of the first jurisdictions in North America to explicitly exclude the sector from accessing its publicly owned, clean-energy supply. Because who needs clean energy when you can have a monopoly on chaos? 🌍💥

Canadian Province Moves to Limit AI Power Use, Ban Crypto Mining
British Columbia proposed legislation to limit how much electricity will be available to artificial intelligence data centers, and moved to permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining projects.
The government of…
– Tracy Shuchart (𝒞𝒽𝒾 ) (@chigrl) October 20, 2025

The ban on crypto mining is not an isolated measure. Instead, it’s BC’s most far-reaching component of a new Electricity Allocation Framework designed to address unprecedented electricity demand and ensure the province’s clean energy goes toward projects that maximize economic benefit. It’s like a government that’s more concerned about the economy than the environment… but not really. 🤷‍♂️

The ban, however, doesn’t include all types of mining. According to the government’s press release, traditional mining will still have access to the power grid. Because nothing says “We’re pro-mining” like letting people dig for actual rocks while banning the digital kind. 🪨💎

“Our new allocation framework will prioritize vital growth in sectors like mining, natural gas, and lowest-emission LNG, while ensuring our clean energy is directed to projects that deliver the greatest benefit to British Columbians,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.

While the bill has not been enacted, it’s strongly poised to pass. As a result, crypto miners in the region will have to adapt. Because nothing says “adapt” like a government that’s more confused than a cat in a pool. 🐱💦

Miners Forced to Seek Alternatives (Or How to Turn Your Basement into a Spacecraft)

Any miner planning new operations or expansion in British Columbia must shift their investment and operations to other jurisdictions. However, migration is met with a patchwork of regulations across the country. It’s like trying to move a spaceship to a different galaxy, but instead, you’re just trying to find a place where the rules aren’t written in a language that’s a mix of hieroglyphics and hexadecimal. 🚀

The Canadian provinces most attractive to crypto miners-those with abundant, cheap, publicly subsidized hydroelectric power-have become the most restrictive toward new connections. It’s like a party where the host says, “You’re welcome!” but then locks the door and throws away the key. 🎉🚪

Provinces like British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, and New Brunswick have all taken action to protect and prioritize this clean power supply. It’s like a group of people trying to keep their tea warm while the rest of the world is boiling water for coffee. ☕🔥

This new reality forces the industry to adopt off-grid solutions, bypassing the provincial utility and connection rules. Because nothing says “innovation” like building a spaceship in your garage and hoping the laws of physics don’t notice. 🛠️🌌

Alberta stands out as a viable destination for crypto miners because its fossil fuel regions allow them to capitalize on stranded energy. Miners can consume excess natural gas that would otherwise be flared or vented. Because nothing says “sustainability” like burning methane for electricity, but at least it’s not as bad as burning it in the atmosphere. 🔥

Miners can also pursue domestic partnerships with private electricity generators operating outside the main utility grid. The remaining option for those seeking a grid connection involves relocating from Canada to another country with available hydropower. Because nothing says “global citizen” like moving to a place where the electricity is powered by water, but not the kind you drink. 🌊🌍

2025-10-22 00:27

Permanent End for Grid Crypto Expansion (Or How to Ruin a Good Thing in Three Easy Steps)

Miners Forced to Seek Alternatives (Or How to Turn Your Basement into a Spacecraft)

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