Lawmakers move to protect Oklahoma ratepayers from effects of data centers

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma ratepayers’ energy bills would be unaffected by new data centers under a bill advancing through the House. 

Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, said his measure, House Bill 2992, will put safeguards and protections into state statute to ensure new data centers are paying for their own infrastructure and the energy they consume, rather than other consumers. 

“We’re seeing historic growth in Oklahoma with our power generation requirements,” Boles said. “And a lot of this will be coming, most likely, from data centers.”

There are at least 30 data centers in Oklahoma that are currently operating, planned or under construction, according to reporting by News9. 

Lawmakers move to protect Oklahoma ratepayers from effects of data centers • Oklahoma Voice