US senator proposes fees for blockchain and AI data centers that exceed carbon emissions standards

PANews reported on April 12 that according to Bloomberg, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and John Fetterman proposed a bill that would impose fees on blockchain and artificial intelligence data centers if their carbon emissions exceed targets. The draft 'Clean Cloud Act' aims to address environmental issues caused by energy demands and reduce the risk of rising energy prices. The bill requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish emission standards for data centers and crypto mining facilities with IT nameplate power exceeding 100 KW, with the goal of reducing emissions by 11% annually. Emissions beyond the limit will be fined at $20 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, with the amount increasing by $10 annually with inflation.