Rising energy costs, coupled with environmental concerns, threaten mining returns. Bitcoin’s 2023 carbon footprint matched Greece’s (65 megatons CO2), prompting U.S. EIA data collection and potential regulations. Trend data shows miners in fossil-fuel-heavy regions face higher costs and scrutiny, while renewable-powered operations gain traction. Profitability is pressured by halving-induced reward cuts (e.g., 12.5 to 6.25 BTC) and volatile prices ($57,909 in 2024). Returns remain viable for miners with access to renewables and AI-optimized operations, but regulatory risks and grid instability reduce overall attractiveness.