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Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by MithrilTuxedo on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @12:05PM (#27750343)
Wouldn't it make more sense to tax fossil fuels as they leave the ground?
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by pjc50 on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @12:22PM (#27750621)
They quite often are, but not as much as is necessary. Oil tends to be taxed at refinement, but there's no such stage for coal.
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by only_as_i_fall on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @12:11PM (#27750450)
If all uses of a fossil fuel produces the exact same carbon output, but my understanding is that this is almost never the case.
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by DennisP on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @12:22PM (#27750620)
Burning the same fuel is always going to produce the same amount of CO2. Here are the amounts, for various fuels:

https://www.eia.gov/environment/emissions/co2_vol_mass.php

You might get more or less usable energy out of it depending on your efficiency, but if you're less efficient you'll have to burn more fuel (hence paying more tax, directly or as part of the price of fuel if it's taxed at the source).

Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by Nursie on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @01:22PM (#27751576)
But fuel is not the only use for those resources.
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by only_as_i_fall on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @04:57PM (#27754136)
But isn't it the case that

A) petroleum products are used for other purposes?

B) carbon capturing is used to various levels of effectiveness?

C) there can be different levels of partial combustion?

Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by DennisP on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @08:21PM (#27756005)
A) We could address this by charging at the refinery for fuel products, rather than at the oil well for crude.

B) I definitely think carbon capture should earn credits in any carbon pricing system.

C) That's just another kind of inefficiency. Same comment applies as above.

Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by jandrese on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @12:23PM (#27750636)
All of the fuel that is burned should release roughly the same amount of carbon.

The stuff that is turned into lubricating oils, plastics, etc... will keep most of the carbon contained.

Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by nonfamous on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @03:24PM (#27753136)
… but will nonetheless pollute the environment in differently harmful ways.
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by sgent on Wednesday July 07, 2021 @04:38AM (#27758796)
Yes but (for instance) some people who are 100% on board with reducing CO2 emissions to prevent global warming have different views about using fertilizer or plastics.
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by only_as_i_fall on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @05:03PM (#27754199)
What about carbon capture?
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by jandrese on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @05:40PM (#27754689)
Mostly doesn't exist.
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by jeffbee on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @12:06PM (#27750365)
But if you did that then drivers would have to pay their fair share instead of pretending like bitcoin actually matters.
Re:Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one... by p1mrx on Tuesday July 06, 2021 @12:09PM (#27750416)
Yes, but I think Earth's general voting population is too short-sighted to support something like that.