EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has proposed reforms to redefine the term "begin actual construction" under EPA permitting rules, aiming to accelerate the start of manufacturing reshoring and AI infrastructure projects. Announced on May 11, the proposal would allow preliminary site work, such as grading and land preparation, to commence before full permits are secured, potentially reducing project timelines by months or years. While the proposal does not explicitly mention cryptocurrency, it could significantly impact the crypto mining industry. AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations share infrastructure needs, such as energy and cooling resources. The proposed permitting changes could alleviate bottlenecks, potentially increasing US Bitcoin mining capacity by up to 15%, enhancing competitiveness in the global hashrate market. Despite the potential implications, no immediate market reaction was observed in crypto markets as of May 12.