Lawmakers advance bill protecting citizen power bill rates as data centers plug in

The Oklahoma Senate Energy Committee has unanimously advanced House Bill 2992, a measure aimed at safeguarding electricity rates for households and businesses amidst the increasing power demands of data centers and cryptomining operations in the state. Authored by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, the legislation requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates state utilities, to establish separate terms, conditions, and tariffs specifically for data center companies. Sen. Grant Green emphasized that if data centers put strain on the grid and necessitate new infrastructure, they should be responsible for the costs, preventing these expenses from being passed on to regular ratepayers. Rep. Boles highlighted the need for consumer protection guardrails in state law. The measure applies to all electricity providers, including cooperatives and municipal providers, and allows data centers to pursue behind-the-meter power generation. Utilities like Public Service Company of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company are already developing tariffs for data centers. The bill is now eligible for a vote on the Senate floor.