OKLAHOMA CITY — In a unanimous vote, the Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed House Bill 2992, a piece of legislation that would require all newly built data centers in the state to generate their own electricity through on-site generation.
The bill, which received bipartisan support, now advances to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration.
The Purpose of House Bill 2992
The primary objective of House Bill 2992 is to address the increasing demand on Oklahoma’s existing power grid, which has been under pressure as more large-scale data centers are built across the state.
The continued growth of the tech industry, particularly cloud computing and data storage, the state’s infrastructure needs to adapt to ensure that new facilities do not strain the already taxed energy resources.
Supporters of the bill argue that this new requirement will help alleviate pressure on the state’s grid and promote energy sustainability by having data centers generate their own power. This is particularly important in the context of Oklahoma’s growing role in hosting tech infrastructure.
Increased Transparency on Land Purchases
In addition to the energy generation requirement, House Bill 2992 also includes provisions aimed at increasing transparency around the land acquisition process tied to data center development. According to the bill, developers would be required to:
- Disclose planned land acquisitions to local stakeholders, including:
- County commissioners
- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission
- Adjacent property owners
This disclosure would need to take place at least 60 days before the finalization of the sale. This provision is designed to ensure that local authorities and residents are made aware of new data center developments in their area, allowing for proper planning and public input before land transactions are completed.
Next Steps in the Legislative Process
After its successful passage in the Oklahoma House, House Bill 2992 now moves on to the Oklahoma Senate for review and consideration. If approved by the Senate, the bill will proceed to Governor Kevin Stitt’s desk for final approval.
