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HB 2992

Corporation Commission; creating the Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026; effective date; emergency.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Boles and 1 co-sponsor

HB 2992 establishes ratepayer protections preventing data centers from shifting infrastructure and operational costs onto residential and small business electricity consumers.

Approved by Governor 05/11/2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2992

Legislative bill overview

HB 2992 creates the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, which establishes regulations governing how data centers impact utility rates and consumer costs in Oklahoma. The bill appears designed to protect residential and small business ratepayers from bearing disproportionate costs associated with large data center operations that consume significant electricity infrastructure.

Why is this important

Data centers require massive amounts of reliable, continuous electricity and infrastructure investment. Without regulatory framework, utilities may pass construction and maintenance costs to all ratepayers, meaning average consumers subsidize private data center operations. This bill attempts to ensure data center operators fairly contribute to infrastructure costs rather than shifting expenses to general ratepayers.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation methodology: How to fairly determine what portion of utility infrastructure costs data centers should bear versus general ratepayers, and whether special rates discourage or encourage data center development
  • Economic development tradeoff: Data centers create jobs and tax revenue; strict ratepayer protections may discourage companies from locating in Oklahoma or increase their operating costs passed to consumers
  • Rate design complexity: Implementation could require sophisticated cost-accounting systems, potentially increasing utility administrative expenses that ultimately affect all ratepayers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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