Digital Power Network Urges Congress to Recognize Bitcoin Mining as a Critical Partner in Powering America’s AI Infrastructure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2026
Digital Power Network Urges Congress to Recognize Bitcoin Mining as a Critical Partner in Powering America’s AI Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. — The Digital Power Network (DPN), the largest coalition of Bitcoin miners and digital infrastructure providers representing more than 85% of the U.S. public Bitcoin mining hashrate, today submitted a letter to the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight outlining how Bitcoin mining can accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure while strengthening grid reliability and lowering costs for consumers.
The letter, submitted for the hearing titled “Powering America’s AI Future: Assessing Policy Options to Increase Data Center Infrastructure,” urges Congress to recognize Bitcoin mining as a critical enabler of AI deployment and to adopt targeted policy reforms that unlock the full potential of existing digital infrastructure.
“Bitcoin mining facilities already provide power infrastructure, cooling systems, and operational flexibility that can be rapidly leveraged to support AI computing,” said the Digital Power Network. “With the right policy framework, these facilities can accelerate AI deployment timelines by years while strengthening grid resilience and reducing costs.”
Bitcoin Mining Provides Immediate Infrastructure for AI Expansion
The Digital Power Network emphasized that Bitcoin miners are actively transitioning existing facilities into dual-use data centers capable of supporting both Bitcoin mining and AI workloads. Many operators are dedicating portions of existing capacity to AI computing or fully converting facilities to high-performance computing (HPC), significantly accelerating the deployment of AI infrastructure without requiring entirely new construction.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Bitcoin mining’s operational flexibility provides measurable grid benefits. Because Bitcoin mining operations can rapidly curtail electricity consumption during grid stress, they create headroom for new loads and improve reliability.
Studies from the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability demonstrate that demand flexibility can reduce the need for costly grid investments, limit congestion, and lower electricity prices by approximately 0.5% to 2.8%. This flexibility has already been demonstrated in real-world conditions. During Winter Storm Fern, approximately 12 gigawatts of Bitcoin mining load curtailed rapidly to preserve grid reliability and ensure continued service for critical infrastructure.
Policy Barriers Are Slowing AI Infrastructure Deployment
Despite these benefits, the letter identifies three major categories of barriers that currently limit Bitcoin mining’s ability to support AI infrastructure deployment:
Site-Level and Operational Barriers:
Transitioning Bitcoin mining facilities to AI computing often requires expanding power capacity, triggering redundant environmental and interconnection reviews even at previously permitted sites. Transmission permitting delays under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) can take an average of 4.2 years and increase construction costs by 24 to 30 percent. Supply chain constraints and workforce shortages further delay deployment.
Grid Planning and Flexible Load Accommodation:
Grid operators and utilities have been slow to incorporate flexible loads into planning and procurement frameworks. Existing models often undervalue flexible demand resources, limiting their ability to accelerate interconnection timelines and support reliability.
Supply Chain and Tariff Uncertainty:
Tariffs on critical electrical components and materials, including copper, steel, aluminum, and semiconductor technologies, increase costs and create uncertainty for infrastructure development. The United States currently lacks sufficient domestic refining and manufacturing capacity to fully meet demand, making imports necessary for timely deployment.
Digital Power Network Calls for Targeted Policy Reforms
To address these barriers, the Digital Power Network outlined several policy recommendations for Congress:
Department of Energy Program Reforms:
Congress should establish federal funding pathways accessible to non-investment-grade companies to enable Bitcoin miners to leverage existing infrastructure for AI deployment. Expanding workforce development programs focused on AI, energy systems, and digital infrastructure would also help address labor shortages.
Permitting Reform:
Congress should streamline permitting processes by establishing categorical exclusions for brownfield-to-data-center conversions, reducing redundant reviews, and accelerating NEPA timelines. Recognizing Bitcoin miners as essential grid partners would help align federal planning with the operational realities of flexible load resources.
Supply Chain and Tariff Policy Improvements:
Targeted tariff exclusions for electrical components and semiconductor technologies without viable domestic alternatives would reduce infrastructure costs and accelerate deployment. Policies should also support domestic manufacturing expansion while avoiding cost increases that delay AI infrastructure development.
Bitcoin Mining Offers Immediate and Scalable Solution
The Digital Power Network emphasized that Bitcoin mining infrastructure represents an immediate and scalable solution to support America’s AI leadership.
“Bitcoin miners bring existing power infrastructure, operational flexibility, and reliability capabilities that would otherwise take years and billions of dollars to replicate,” the organization stated. “With targeted policy reforms, the industry can accelerate AI deployment, strengthen grid resilience, and enhance U.S. competitiveness.”
The Digital Power Network looks forward to continued engagement with Congress and federal agencies to ensure the United States remains a global leader in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
Read the full letter here.
About the Digital Power Network
The Digital Power Network is the leading coalition of Bitcoin miners and digital infrastructure providers in the United States, representing over 85% of the nation’s public Bitcoin mining hashrate. DPN advocates for policies that support grid reliability, domestic infrastructure development, and American leadership in emerging digital technologies.