New protections for utility customers as data centers ramp up becomes law

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed House Bill 2992, known as the "Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act," into law. This legislation mandates that new data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, and artificial intelligence computing facilities consuming 75 megawatts or more must pay for their own infrastructure and energy usage, thereby preventing increased energy bills for Oklahoma ratepayers. The bill also includes provisions requiring developers to notify nearby landowners and local officials within 60 days of purchasing land for such projects, with a penalty of a $1,500 daily fine for failure to comply. Governor Stitt emphasized that the bill ensures data centers can grow in Oklahoma "the right way," stating that large energy users must partner with the state and cover their costs. Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, the bill's author, expressed pride that Oklahomans would not be forced to subsidize the infrastructure needs of massive data centers while still allowing responsible state growth. However, Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, voiced concerns as a farmer and rancher about the potential environmental impacts, fearing that prime farmland could be damaged by large industrial sites that deplete local resources.