The voice that I have found most compelling with regard to Bitcoin energy consumption is Daniel Batten. One of the most complex aspects to clean energy development is that sources of this energy are often in places far removed from the grid and from consumers of this enerrgy (cities & industry). If only there was an anchor energy consumer that does not require connection to the grid, can operate in remote areas, can handle variable energy loads, and crucially, can pay for the energy it consumes while scaling up the development of this remote energy resource: enter Bitcoin mining.

Batten contends that it is in fact good for the environment because it is the only energy consumer that can convert methane into revenue. Oil and gas sites are often far removed from the grid and energy consumers. It's a dirty business. And it releases methane which is a lead contributor of the greenhouse effect. The linked article goes into far more detail.