Oklahoma Republican Gubernatorial Runoff Debate: Data Centers
During the Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial runoff debate, candidates Mike Mazzei and Gentner Drummond discussed conditions for data center development. Their visions focused on balancing economic growth with protections for rural communities, taxpayers, and utility customers regarding energy, water, and local control.
The Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial runoff debate featured a significant discussion on data centers between candidates Mike Mazzei and Gentner Drummond.
Mike Mazzei proposed that data centers should only be allowed under four conditions: they must be in locally approved industrial spaces, produce their own energy to prevent utility rate spikes, receive no tax subsidies, and use closed-loop cooling systems for limited water usage, thereby assuring local communities of water availability.
Gentner Drummond emphasized similar points, stating that data centers should be subject to local control, conserve water through closed-loop or air cooling, and be required to bring their own power via a large load tariff. Drummond noted he had been enforcing such measures for 18 months, suggesting Mazzei was misinformed on current practices.