The Oklahoma Senate Tuesday unanimously passed legislation from Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, to protect Oklahomans from higher utility costs as a result of the growing number of data centers across the state.
The Senate passed an amended version of House Bill 2992, the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, that adds greater transparency requirements and community input for new developments. Approval of the bill came on a 46-0 vote. The amendment was approved on a vote of 44-2.
“This legislation makes it abundantly clear that all developments that would put significant strain on Oklahoma’s electric grid must cover their own costs,” said Green, chair of the Senate Energy Committee. “Under no circumstances should Oklahoma families, farmers, ranchers and small business owners be left footing the bill.”
The measure requires “large load” users — including data centers, artificial intelligence facilities, and cryptocurrency mining operations — to cover their share of electricity and infrastructure costs. It also directs the Corporation Commission and other regulators to ensure Oklahomans and local businesses aren’t paying unfair rates driven by these new users’ significant energy demands.
Similarly, all electric suppliers would be required to establish separate billing terms and conditions for these large energy customers.
Before passing HB 2992, Green amended the measure to include stronger community protections and greater transparency of future “large load” developments by requiring advance notice of possible projects and a public meeting for developers to hear from nearby residents and answer questions.
“As data centers continue to spring up in rural Oklahoma, these transparency requirements ensure that farmers and ranchers aren’t blindsided by a massive new development next door,” Green said. “Local landowners deserve to know what’s going on and have a seat at the table before any land sales are finalized for these projects.”
The bill requires large energy users or their developers to give 60 days’ notice before buying land for a project. That notice must go to the Corporation Commission, local county commissioners and property owners within five miles of the site and be published in a local newspaper for two straight weeks with details of a public meeting. Entities that fail to follow those requirements would be fined.
HB 2992 now returns to the House, where Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, is the primary author. He is also an announced candidate for Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
At least 30 additional senators and representatives have signed on as co-authors, reflecting broad bipartisan support for this bill across the Legislature.