Data centers should pay costs for electricity, older Oklahomans tell AARP

A recent AARP survey conducted in Oklahoma reveals significant public sentiment regarding the allocation of electricity costs for new, large data centers. The survey found that a striking 92% of Oklahomans aged 50 and older believe that elected officials bear the responsibility to ensure residential customers are not forced to subsidize these additional costs. Furthermore, 86% of these respondents explicitly stated that data center companies themselves should be accountable for these expenses, not homeowners on fixed or limited incomes. This comes as Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (PSO) last year acquired the Green Country Power Plant in Jenks. Amidst these discussions, tech giant Google has committed to fully cover the costs associated with connecting its data center sites to the electricity grid, as well as all contracted expenses.