Digital Power Network Urges Senate to Recognize Bitcoin Mining as a Flexible Grid Resource in Energy Legislation
Washington, D.C. — The Digital Power Network (DPN), the largest coalition of Bitcoin miners and digital infrastructure providers in the United States, submitted a statement for the record to the Subcommittee on Energy of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ahead of its April 15 hearing on pending energy legislation.
In its submission, DPN commended Subcommittee leadership, Chairman Dave McCormick and Ranking Member Ruben Gallego, for advancing policies aimed at modernizing the nation’s electric grid amid rising electricity demand driven by data centers, advanced manufacturing, and broader electrification.
DPN emphasized that significant load growth is exposing structural constraints in the U.S. power system and highlighted the opportunity for Congress to address these challenges through both infrastructure expansion and improved utilization of existing grid assets.
The organization noted that the legislation under consideration takes important steps toward increasing transmission capacity, reducing permitting timelines, strengthening reliability frameworks, and integrating flexible loads into long-term planning and market design.
A central focus of DPN’s comments was the role of Bitcoin mining as a uniquely flexible energy resource. Unlike traditional industrial loads, Bitcoin mining operations are highly price-sensitive and can be curtailed almost instantaneously, providing valuable demand response capabilities during periods of grid stress.
During Winter Storm Fern, Bitcoin miners curtailed approximately 4,100 megawatts of electricity consumption in a single day in Texas, helping stabilize the grid during extreme weather conditions and price volatility.
This type of flexibility not only enhances reliability but can also lower costs for consumers. According to analysis from the Brattle Group, improving overall grid utilization by just 10 percent could reduce electricity rates by roughly 3.4 percent, translating to an estimated $110–170 billion in savings for U.S. consumers over the next decade.
DPN also highlighted the ability of Bitcoin mining to utilize otherwise stranded or excess energy resources. By converting unused energy into economic value, mining operations can improve the viability of renewable energy projects and reduce emissions associated with flared natural gas.
The organization underscored that modernizing the grid to meet growing demand while maintaining affordability and reliability will require both streamlined permitting for transmission and new infrastructure as well as the integration of flexible demand resources into planning and policy frameworks.
DPN expressed its appreciation for the Subcommittee’s leadership and reiterated its commitment to working with policymakers to strengthen U.S. energy and digital infrastructure.
Read the letter here.
About the Digital Power Network
The Digital Power Network is the largest coalition of Bitcoin miners and digital infrastructure providers in the United States, representing companies that make substantial, long-term investments in energy and computing infrastructure while supporting grid reliability and innovation.