CoinDesk Podcast Network THE MINING POD: Big Changes Are Coming to the Texas Grid w/ Lee Bratcher
Jul 14, 2025
Lee Bratcher, President of the Texas Blockchain Council and a key advocate for Bitcoin miners, discusses the transformative Senate Bill 6 that alters interconnection rules for large energy users in Texas. He delves into the implications for Bitcoin mining, highlighting how changes in the 4CP program might impact operational costs significantly. Bratcher addresses the challenges posed by new energy regulations, including remote disconnect capabilities and potential transmission fees, which could reshape both Bitcoin mining and AI data centers in the state.
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SB6 Clarifies Large Load Interconnection
- Texas Senate Bill 6 clarifies large load interconnection and manages phantom load applications to reduce ERCOT's bloated queue.
- This ensures more accurate data about actual load commitments, benefiting grid reliability and planning.
4CP Reform Vital for Grid
- The 4CP program needs reform to reflect today's solar-heavy Texas grid and align with net load, not just peak load.
- Adopting a 12 CP net load model would better match Bitcoin miners' flexibility and improve grid reliability.
Minimum Transmission Charges Risk Growth
- Introducing a minimum transmission charge on 4CP discounts could increase electricity costs significantly for flexible loads like Bitcoin miners.
- A 1 cent per kWh increase could raise power bills by 20%, risking industry growth in Texas.