The interim legislative studies announced recently by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert include long, hard looks at a number of energy issues in Oklahoma including eminent domain for transmission line development, sustainable aviation fuel refining and the impact of data centers on water sources.
They are among 152 such studies that legislators will study before the next legislative session in 2026.
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, announced that the process for assigning interim studies to their respective committees has been finalized.
The eminent domain study was proposed by Rep. Molly Jenkins of the 33rd House District which covers Logan and Payne Counties.
The impact of data centers on Oklahoma’s water sources was proposed by Tulsa Rep. Amanda Clinton. She is a Democrat and represents House District 71.
Rep. Jim Shaw, the outspoken Republican critic of the spread of wind farms in the state, called for the interim study on Industrial Wind and Solar development. He represents House District 32.
The state’s energy needs will be the focus of a study proposed by Rep. Mike Dobrinski, Republican of Okeene a representative of House District 59 and Rep. Mark Chapman, a Broken Arrow Republican who represents House District 12.
Interim studies serve as a valuable tool for lawmakers to take a deeper look at topics that may require further review or data gathering before formal legislation is considered. Once assigned to a committee, meetings will be scheduled at the discretion of the committee chair.
Speaker Hilbert stated that while interim study requests may be the priorities of individual members, a study may not necessarily indicate or reflect a formal priority of the House Republican Caucus.
“These studies allow legislators to explore a wide range of issues,” said Speaker Hilbert. “Interim studies serve as an important tool in the toolbox of an individual or a group of legislators in preparing their policy initiatives for the 2026 session and initiating public buy-in. The interim study process provides an avenue for members to gather information, vet ideas and engage stakeholders.”
The interim study period will begin on August 4, 2025, and conclude on November 6, 2025. For more information and a full list of approved studies, please visit the Oklahoma House of Representatives website.
Below is a list of the energy-related studies, the legislators who proposed them and the committees where they will be studied.
| The Oklahoma Space Renaissance: Lifting Off as America’s Leader in Suborbital Research and Aerospace Manufacturing | Nick Archer & Preston Stinson | Transportation A&B |
| OK Turnpike Authority | Danny Sterling | Senate to name |
| Eminent Domain for Trasmission Line Development | Molly Jenkins | Utilities |
| The impact of data center expansion on Oklahoma’s water resources and power grid | Clinton, Amanda | Utilities |
| Explore Potential refining, transportation, and use of sustainable aviation fuels | Judd Strom; John Kane | Transportation |
| Enhancing Oklahoma’s Freight Transportation Infrastructure to Support Economic Development | Miller, Nicole; Johns, Ronny | Transportation A&B |
| Industrial Wind and Solar | Shaw, Jim | Energy |
| Corporation Commission Oil and Gas Conservation Division Funding and Efficiencies | Representative Archer | Energy |
| Oklahoma Energy Needs | Dobrinski, Mike ; Chapman, Mark | Utilities |
| Water Needs in a Growing Oklahoma Economy | Dobrinski, Mike ; Newton, Carl | Natural Resources A&B |
| Rural advanced transportation technology innovation in Oklahoma | Miller, Nicole | Transportation A&B |