Oklahoma Senate passes bill to curb data center utility hikes, more transparency

The Oklahoma Senate has unanimously approved House Bill 2992, titled the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, which seeks to shield Oklahoma residents from escalating utility expenses attributed to the state's growing data center sector. Authored by Senator Grant Green of Wellston, who chairs the Senate Energy Committee, the legislation mandates that "large load" energy consumers, including data centers, AI facilities, and cryptocurrency mining operations, bear their full share of electricity and infrastructure costs. Senator Green emphasized that Oklahoma families, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses should not subsidize these developments. The bill directs the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and other regulatory bodies to ensure that high energy demands do not lead to increased rates for general consumers. Furthermore, it requires all electric suppliers to establish distinct billing terms for high-energy customers. To enhance transparency and local involvement, the legislation stipulates that developers of large energy projects must provide a 60-day notice before purchasing land. This notice must be submitted to the Corporation Commission, local county commissioners, and property owners within a five-mile radius of the proposed site, and also published in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks, detailing a public meeting. Non-compliance will result in fines. The bill, which has bipartisan support with over 30 co-authors, now proceeds to the House, where Representative Brad Boles of Marlow is the primary author.