The Canadian province of British Columbia is considering a new bill that will radically change energy policy for cryptocurrency mining and the development of artificial intelligence. The document, introduced to the Legislative Assembly on October 20, 2025, proposes significant amendments to energy legislation and establishes strict limits for energy-intensive industries.
This is reported by Business • Media
Bill: Goals and Key Changes
According to an explanation on the official government website, the initiative aims to attract investment in large-scale infrastructure projects that will support economic growth and job creation. Authorities emphasize that the need for the law is driven by unprecedented growth in electricity demand, which could negatively impact utility costs for residents and businesses.
“This law will help us accelerate the construction of the Northern Transmission Line – a national-scale project that will provide clean electricity for responsible industrial growth and job creation, enhancing the well-being of families, communities, our province, and the entire country,” said Premier David Eby.
Ban on Mining and Restrictions for AI
The bill proposes a complete ban on connecting new mining farms to the power grid, effectively making the moratorium imposed in 2022 and extended in 2024 permanent. The document also establishes restrictions on electricity supply for data centers and artificial intelligence projects to avoid excessive strain on the energy system and rapid increases in rates.
At the same time, priority support will be given to mining enterprises and natural gas extraction facilities, which, according to the government, will enable effective resource utilization in the province and strengthen its economic potential.
It is worth noting that similar measures regarding mining have already been discussed in other regions of the world. In particular, the authorities in New York State proposed introducing a tax on cryptocurrency mining due to the sharp increase in energy consumption by the industry.