(Image art by Kevin Clark via ChatGPT.)
Oklahoma Lawmakers Target ‘Large Load’ Power Demand
The issue of large electrical loads has not only been a topic of discussion by Oklahoma regulators, but it is also the focus of several bills filed in the Oklahoma Legislature.
As previously reported, a bill by Tulsa Rep. Amanda Clinton proposes a study by Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners examining the impact of large energy users. Rep. Jim Shaw of Chandler has also filed a measure addressing large loads, loosely defined as the amount of electrical power needed for large industrial sites, including data centers. Such loads are typically far greater than the electricity required for residential customers.
State Lawmakers Push Study of Large Power Users
Corporation Commissioners have repeatedly discussed the issue as they considered rate hike requests from utilities and reviewed the impact of rising energy demand across the state. The growth of large industrial users, particularly data centers, has become a central factor in long-term planning for grid reliability and cost allocation.
The proposals at the Capitol are intended to better understand how these high-demand facilities affect infrastructure, ratepayers and future utility investment.
Federal Regulators Also Reviewing Large Load Impact
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is also examining the issue nationwide. A report is expected later this year as regulators study how to accelerate interconnection timelines for large-load customers while maintaining grid reliability.
Large-load growth has raised questions about how quickly utilities can add generation and transmission capacity, and how those costs should be distributed among residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Industry Discussion Highlights Data Center Growth
The topic drew national attention during discussions at the DETECH 2026 convention in San Diego, where regulators joined utility experts and technology providers to examine supply chain constraints and the rapid expansion of data centers.
The session, titled “One Year Later: Managing the Large Load Surge in a New Federal Policy Era,” highlighted the scale of the challenge.
Jason Handley of Danovo Energy Solutions said the pace of growth is intensifying nationwide.
“In one year, [the U.S.] put 500 more data centers in,” Handley said, citing national data. “The exponential curve there is pretty high.”