Jacob Aronoff is based in Portland, with interests in tech, security and energy issues.

Two years ago, I shared an opinion that Maine’s uptick in data breaches was a result of lax oversight and outdated systems; that our everyday life was growing more vulnerable in an ever-digital world.

Fast forward to 2026, and we’re facing a similar crisis, this time with our energy grid. 

Maine’s power system is facing the stress of aged infrastructure while our leaders, namely the Maine Public Utilities Commission and Gov. Janet Mills (who applauded the PUC for rejecting the plan, calling it “outrageous” and “excessive”) are disconnected and behind the curve in meeting our state’s future energy needs. 

I’ve just returned from Abu Dhabi and found an unlikely ally: cryptocurrency mining. And before you assume that the often maligned “crypto” operation is a greedy hog of energy, know that digital mining operations are being explored around the world to stabilize grids, reduce energy waste, help heat greenhouses and fund infrastructure needs.

It’s time for Maine to analyze other states’ innovations, to encourage new business and fund our programs before we get left in the dark — literally. 

There’s an early clarification that I would like to make: Bitcoin mining is not an AI data center. Data centers require near constant power, and turning off means failed services (disruptions, power interferences) and constant stress to the grid. 

Bitcoin mining operations are highly flexible and interruptible. An operation can ramp up and shut down in seconds to minimal loss. Miners, or digital miners of Bitcoin and other assets, are attempting to complete complicated probabilistic puzzles, and the only way to do that profitably is to try and extract the cheapest, most efficient power. 

There have been many cases where miners use stranded energy otherwise unavailable to the general public. What is stranded energy, you might ask? Stranded energy is power that is available but goes largely unused, wasted or even thrown out because it’s not economically viable to save or store it. 

It’s as if your phone is completely charged but energy is still being fed to it. Your phone has no way of capturing that extra power. An example of this (in Maine) is biogenic natural gas or stranded methane in landfills. Organic waste, food and other matter decompose, producing methane — the main component of natural gas. Sites like Juniper Ridge (Maine’s largest landfill) have recently created a natural gas pipeline project, but historically this methane was/is around the state being flared. It continues to be in other places.

Maine is essentially an energy import state, which means we can pick how/when/where our energy is used. More than 40% of the energy Mainers use consists of natural gas — but we don’t produce any. So when a winter storm comes rolling in, our imported energy gets fought for, creating bottlenecks in the pipeline and affecting prices. This can highlight our state’s energy vulnerabilities or incentivize us to pivot and invite new technologies that will create taxable economic activity to build the cleaner, renewable future Mainers want. 

Cryptocurrency mining’s power efficiency/efficacy isn’t just hype — it’s proven. In Texas, where wind dominates like Maine’s renewables, miners utilized unused wind energy (e.g., around 1.3 terawatt-hours in 2022 examples),which generated millions in revenue for farms. In storms and high electricity demand events, like Winter Storm Heather last year, miners turned off their servers (think a flick of the switch), freeing power for critical services and helping stabilize the grid. 

A quick Energy 101 — we are (playing) a grid operator, like ISO New England. No matter where our energy comes from — natural gas, wind, etc. — electricity must be consumed in real time. Minute by minute, instant by instant. Once the power is converted into electricity, even the smallest over-demand can lead to power outages and damage to equipment.

The wholesale price of electricity can soar to meet demand. This might happen if we have sudden drops in producing renewables (wind dies down after sunset, no sun) or a pipeline suffers damage/freezes during a cold snap. Better transmission and dynamic energy relationships can aid this problem. 

Maine has a unique opportunity to think outside the box and to be innovative in crafting its energy future, or utilize what’s already being stranded. Mainers need relief from power increases. We’ve seen an estimated 10-36% hike from 2024 to 2025. Digital mining and mining operations could bring enough taxable economic activity to build the infrastructure necessary to lower energy costs for the state/consumer.

I urge Maine lawmakers to introduce and pass legislation establishing a short-term pilot program that offers qualifying cryptocurrency mining operations competitive electricity rates (a goal could be, say, 4-6 kWh) subsidized exclusively through mining-generated taxes or federal grants with zero impact on residential ratepayers) to make us stronger. Let’s give it a try.