Data Center Consumer Protection Bill Advances in Oklahoma House

Legislation designed to protect Oklahoma electricity consumers and ratepayers from the growing energy demands of large data centers and artificial intelligence facilities is moving forward in the state Legislature.

A measure titled the “Data Center Customer Protection Act of 2026” recently cleared two House committees and is now eligible for consideration on the Oklahoma House floor.

Bill Wins Committee Approval

House Bill 2992, the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, authored by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, passed unanimously in both the House Utilities Policy Committee and the House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee. The measure now advances to the next step in the legislative process.

Protecting Consumers From Infrastructure Costs

“I’m very encouraged to see this legislation move forward with such strong support,” Boles said. “As Oklahoma continues to grow and attract new industry, we have to make sure the cost of that growth does not fall on hardworking families and small businesses. This bill is about fairness and making sure Oklahomans are not forced to subsidize the infrastructure needs of large data centers.”

Rep. Boles’ Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act would set guidelines for how electric suppliers and regulators address the rising energy demands of large data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities. The bill defines “large load customers” as new facilities adding 75 megawatts or more of demand and clarifies that residential, commercial and traditional industrial customers are not included in that classification.

Federal Pledge Referenced in Legislation

The legislation aligns with the recent Ratepayer Protection Pledge Proclamation issued by President Donald Trump. Under the pledge, several leading technology companies agreed that as energy demand grows alongside new data center construction, American households should not bear the cost of building the necessary infrastructure.

Instead, the pledge calls for the companies developing and operating data centers to build, bring or purchase the energy required to power their facilities and to cover the full cost of associated infrastructure.

“The White House is taking steps to make sure Americans are not left footing the bill for massive data center expansion, and Oklahoma is proud to take steps alongside them to protect our ratepayers,” Boles said.

Bipartisan Support for the Measure

Several lawmakers from both parties have signed on as co-authors of the measure, including Senate author Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston; Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita; Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene; Rep. Clay Staires, R-Skiatook; Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa; Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City; Rep. Amanda Clinton, D-Tulsa; Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow; Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City; and Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore.

The bill is now eligible to be heard on the House floor.

House Energy and Natural Resources Committee Vote

The vote in the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

DO PASS AS AMENDED BY CS PASSED

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