05/13/2026
Boles, Green Applaud Governor for Signing Bill Protecting Consumers from Rising Utility Costs Tied to New Data Centers
OKLAHOMA CITY –
Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, are praising Gov. Kevin Stitt for signing House Bill 2992, the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, into law.
The measure is designed to protect Oklahoma families, small businesses and traditional utility customers from rising utility and infrastructure costs tied to large-scale energy users such as data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities.
"As Oklahoma continues to grow and attract this new industry, we have to make sure the cost of that growth does not fall on hardworking families and small businesses," Boles said. "I appreciate Governor Stitt for signing this legislation into law, Senator Green for his partnership and all of my colleagues for recognizing the importance of protecting Oklahoma ratepayers. I am proud that Oklahomans will not be forced to subsidize the infrastructure needs of massive data centers and other large-scale energy users while still allowing our state to grow responsibly."
Green also praised the signing of the bill, saying the new law will give local communities a voice and greater transparency when new data center developments are proposed in their areas.
"As a farmer and rancher, I have serious concerns about the growing number of data centers and how they could impact rural Oklahoma," Green said. "One of my biggest fears is that thousands of acres of prime farmland could be ruined by massive warehouses and industrial sites that drain all the local resources. I don’t want to see that happen here in Oklahoma. The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act brings much-needed transparency to these developments, so deals aren’t made behind closed doors without input from local property owners. I want to thank Representative Boles for being a great partner as we worked on this legislation. I also appreciate the support from the governor and my colleagues across the Legislature."
HB2992 sets guidelines for how Oklahoma utilities and regulators manage the growing energy demands of large-scale users, including data centers and AI facilities consuming 75 megawatts or more of power. The law also increases transparency by requiring developers to notify nearby landowners, county commissioners and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission within 60 days of acquiring land for qualifying projects.
"This bill makes it clear that when you plug into Oklahoma’s world class energy grid, you come to the table as a partner and do your part to cover the costs," Gov. Stitt said. "That’s how we keep Oklahoma a Top 10 state and the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family. Oklahoma is open for business, and we welcome data centers and other technology investments that want to grow here the right way."
The legislation aligns with the Ratepayer Protection Pledge Proclamation issued by President Donald Trump, which calls on leading hyperscalers and AI companies to provide and pay for the energy and infrastructure needed to build and operate data centers. Several major technology companies have also agreed that as energy demand grows alongside new data center development, American households should not bear the cost of the required infrastructure.
36 House and Senate lawmakers from both parties signed on as co-authors of the legislation. The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 becomes effective July 1.
