New York lawmakers have taken a harsher stance towards bitcoin mining industry. A new bill in the state Senate, S.8518, would impose a tiered excise tax on the energy used by Bitcoin and other proof-of-work mining companies. The legislation, sponsored by Democratic Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Anna Kelles, would tax mining operations based on how much energy they use each year. They say it aims to make mining companies pay their “fair share” and help families with rising utility bills. Miners using up to 2.25 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year wouldn’t pay a tax. But companies using more energy …