U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a new bill aimed at providing tax incentives for cryptocurrency miners who utilize flared natural gas to power their operations.
The proposed Facilitating Lower Atmospheric Released Emissions (FLARE) Act seeks to position Texas as the leading hub for Bitcoin mining while addressing environmental concerns related to gas flaring.
Announced on April 1, the bill proposes an amendment to the U.S. tax code that would allow companies to permanently deduct the full cost of flaring and venting mitigation systems—equipment designed to capture and repurpose excess natural gas that would otherwise be burned off. Under the plan, businesses installing such systems would qualify for 100% expensing starting in 2026.
To be eligible, the technology must convert natural gas into usable energy, such as electricity, liquid fuels, or computational power for digital asset mining. The bill outlines several approved applications, including gas compression or liquefaction for transport, petrochemical and fertilizer production, and powering oilfield equipment or the electrical grid.
Beyond financial incentives, the FLARE Act includes a restriction preventing foreign adversaries—specifically China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—from benefiting from the tax breaks. This clause aims to reinforce U.S. energy independence and ensure the incentives remain exclusive to American-aligned businesses.
Cruz emphasized that the initiative aligns with Texas’s strengths in both energy and Bitcoin mining.
“This bill takes advantage of Texas’s vast energy potential, reinforces our position as the home of the Bitcoin industry, and is good for the environment. I call upon my colleagues to expeditiously take up and advance this legislation,”
Cruz stated.
The proposal has already garnered support from key industry players. Bitcoin mining firm MARA Holdings voiced its endorsement in a post on X, highlighting that the bill could help reduce emissions while “unlocking stranded energy” across Texas and beyond. If passed, the FLARE Act would enable MARA and similar firms to deduct the full cost of such infrastructure from their taxable income starting in 2026.
Notably, MARA Holdings reported a net income of $528.3 million for Q4 2024, a 248% increase from the previous year.
Cruz has long championed the idea of repurposing excess energy for Bitcoin mining. At the 2021 Texas Blockchain Summit, he argued that instead of flaring off surplus natural gas, companies should use it to generate value.
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