'They're here': Bill seeks to protect Oklahoma ratepayers from data centers, other large energy users

Oklahoma House Bill 2992, known as the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, is moving through the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan backing. Authored by Rep. Brad Boles, the legislation seeks to protect Oklahoma families and small businesses from potentially higher utility bills caused by the significant energy demands of new data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and artificial intelligence facilities. The bill defines "large load customers" as new facilities requiring 75 megawatts or more and mandates that electric suppliers establish separate terms and tariffs for these customers. This ensures that large users reimburse utilities for all associated costs, including infrastructure upgrades, preventing residential, commercial, and traditional industrial customers from subsidizing the growth of these energy-intensive operations. The bill has received unanimous approval from both the House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee and the House Utilities Policy Committee. Rep. Boles, who is campaigning for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, emphasized the bill's importance in ensuring that the cost of economic growth does not fall on hardworking families. Rep. Amanda Clinton, who initially sponsored similar legislation, has joined as a co-author, citing growing bipartisan agreement on the need to proactively address energy demands while protecting consumers. House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson also plans to co-author the bill, expressing concerns about data centers' impact on Oklahoma's natural resources, particularly water and electricity. While supportive of the bill's intent, Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt highlighted the need for the state to consider all types of energy sources, including wind and solar, to meet the increased electricity load required by data centers. Boles noted widespread public support, with many Oklahomans attending meetings and rallies concerning potential data center projects, reinforcing the legislative duty to implement ratepayer protections.