Governor wants Energy Abundance Agenda for Oklahoma

 

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt not only wants to copy the Trump administration’s creation of a DOGE or government efficiency agency but also wants to make 2025 the year of the Energy Abundance Agenda in the state.

In his seventh state of the state address on Monday to the state legislature, he said his goal is to continue to unleash Oklahoma’s energy potential.

“Oil and gas giants like Devon, Continental and ONEOK continue to grow their footprint here. Expand Energy made its home in Oklahoma City and is the largest natural gas producer in the nation. Our energy industry is a driving force in our economy, and when they are free from politically motivated barriers and overregulation, they can power our nation and the world,” he said to applause from the senators, representatives and others gathered in the House chambers.

“I want to make 2025 the year of the Energy Abundance Agenda and continue to unleash Oklahoma’s energy potential. So let’s make sure we can build more generation on the meter and behind the meter to keep our energy the most affordable and reliable in the nation.”

Stitt told legislators that in addition to Oklahoma’s “amazing business friendly policies,” it has a wealth of natural resources to make the state the best place to do business.

“In my last state of the state, I said I wanted Oklahoma to be the high-tech data center capital of the world. That vision is becoming reality. Google continues to invest in its data center in Pryor, Oklahoma, and now it’s one of its largest in the world. A few weeks ago, President Trump announced a $20 billion dollar investment in data centers across the country – and Oklahoma is on that list. Those of us in this room know there is no better place than Oklahoma.”

He pointed out that 274 businesses opened their doors or expanded operations in the state over the past year. And it was no accident they created more than 31,000 new jobs.

“Here in Oklahoma, we have business friendly policies and the most affordable, reliable energy anywhere thanks to limited government, common sense, and clean burning natural gas. Because of that, our state has more opportunities than ever.”

Gov. Stitt, taking a cue from the Trump administration, also announced his signing of an executive order creating the Division of Government Efficiency or DOGE-OK within the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

“Today, I’m launching DOGE-OK to keep the focus on flat budgets and limited government. For years, I’ve instructed my cabinet secretaries and agency directors to shrink employee count and cut unnecessary contracts.”

Stitt said he’s committed to having fewer state employees at the end of his term than when he became governor in 2019.

“I also mandated an end to work from home policies for state employees to better serve the people of our state. Even still, we have public officials who have asked the Legislature to double the size of their budget. Our constituents voted for fiscal conservatism, not growing government.”

The governor’s office later explained the executive order creates the unpaid position of Chief DOGE Advisor, who will report directly to Governor Stitt, lead the division independently, and receive broad authority to review agency budgets and operations. The order further requires state agency directors take immediate steps to ensure DOGE-OK receives full access to agency records, data, software systems, and I.T. systems.

By March 31, 2025, DOGE-OK will submit a report outlining strategies for efficiency, recommendations for fiscal reforms, and specific agency budget findings.

Oklahomans can follow DOGE-OK on X for updates. Read the executive order in full here.

The reaction from legislative leaders? Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said the governor laid out his vision and outlined a plan to move Oklahoma forward “in a positive trajectory that we can all agree with,” Pro Tem Paxton said.

“This session, the Senate looks forward to working alongside the governor and our colleagues in the House to advance policies that will strengthen our workforce, create new opportunities for business investment and make strategic investments in core services.”

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, responded by indicating he too will work with the governor.

“Finding government efficiencies with an Oklahoma version of DOGE is a shared priority and will be critical as we seek to tighten our belt fiscally this year.”