William Shatner Supports Bitcoin’s Carbon Footprint

A recent research states that mining Bitcoin uses as much electricity as that of the Republic of Ireland. Hollywood actor William Shatner, popularly known as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, is now fighting for renewable energy use in the mining of Bitcoin. He argued that this is relevant for the environment including the bottom line.

Being a renewable energy supporter, Shatner acts as a spokesperson for Solar Alliance, a firm based in Vancouver. Recently, the Canadian company bought an abandoned warehouse in Murphysboro, Illinois where it hopes to establish a 3- megawatt solar firm. The renewable energy firm will proceed to rent out space to cryptocurrency miners once it commences operations.

Shatner noted in a press statement that, “As an advocate for solar energy I was intrigued by the potential for it to power cryptocurrency mining operations. They are energy intensive and utilizing solar arrays to power them makes social and economic sense.”

Shatner has not always been a bitcoin fan. Four years ago, he referred to (sic) ‘bit coin’ as a ‘cyber snob currency’. Yet it seems his opinion has changed over the years as he noted that even though the idea of cryptocurrencies is ‘really strange’ the concept makes sense once one gets to know more about it.

Solar Alliance decision to choose Illinois was motivated partly due to the state’s policies including other incentives. Jason Bank, the company’s CEO noted that Illinois needs utility companies to buy renewable energy. The Canadian firm was also incentivized into purchasing the 1655,000-foot warehouse by Murphysboro’s mayor, Will Stephens, as part of a project known as “Renewing the Murphysboro Community Through Green Energy Jobs.” The warehouse which was previously a label-making factor has been abandoned for more than 10 years.