Republicans Push Back on Data Centers in Oklahoma

GOP state lawmakers seek to slow or pause new data center construction amid backlash from constituents

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Republican state legislators in several states, including Oklahoma, are pushing back against the rapid expansion of data centers, breaking with the party's broader support for the tech industry. Some GOP lawmakers are proposing bills to pause or slow new data center construction, citing concerns over increased utility costs, noise, property values, and the economic outcomes of tax incentives for these developments.

Why it matters

The backlash from Republican lawmakers against data centers highlights a growing divide within the party, as constituents raise concerns about the impact of these large-scale tech facilities on their communities. This issue also touches on broader debates around the role of government incentives for the tech industry and the balance between economic growth and local impacts.

The details

Oklahoma state Sen. Kendal Sacchieri, a Republican, has introduced a bill that would put a three-year pause on data centers in her home state, arguing that state legislatures need time to carefully consider how these facilities change communities. Similar bills have been proposed by GOP lawmakers in at least half a dozen other states, including Georgia, Maryland, New York, Vermont and Virginia. While no statewide moratorium has been enacted yet, several localities across the country have paused the construction of new data centers. Some Republican governors, like Florida's Ron DeSantis, have also voiced support for restricting data centers.

  • In 2026, Oklahoma state Sen. Kendal Sacchieri introduced a bill to put a three-year pause on data centers in the state.
  • Last year, state legislators across the country introduced about 300 bills to limit or regulate the construction of new data centers.

The players

Kendal Sacchieri

An Oklahoma state senator and Republican who introduced a bill to put a three-year pause on data centers in the state.

Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida who has voiced support for restricting data centers in his state.

Josh Hawley

A Republican U.S. senator from Missouri who has called for national legislation to require data centers to supply their own power.

Brian Chisholm

A Republican state delegate in Maryland who is co-sponsoring a bill to ban the construction of new data centers in the state until the legislature addresses the strain they place on the grid.

Jason Anavitarte

The Republican majority leader of the Georgia state Senate who is proposing a repeal of the state's data center tax breaks.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think that data centers are being taken seriously by a lot of my own party right now.”

— Kendal Sacchieri, Oklahoma state senator (eufaulaindianjournal.com)

“Voters don't want to see their utility bills go up. Their electricity bills are already too high, the water bills are already too high, and they don't want some use corporation coming in, and sucking up all the electricity on the grid, so that their rates double and triple.”

— Josh Hawley, U.S. senator from Missouri (eufaulaindianjournal.com)

“State and federal leaders need to listen to the citizens and balance what the citizens are saying against the research and what the technology experts are saying and figure out what is the common ground, while also recognizing the geopolitical impacts of data centers in terms of this technology arms race.”

— Jason Anavitarte, Majority leader of the Georgia state Senate (eufaulaindianjournal.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This issue highlights a growing divide within the Republican Party, as some GOP lawmakers break from the party's broader support for the tech industry to address constituent concerns about the local impacts of data centers. It also touches on broader debates around the role of government incentives and the balance between economic growth and community impacts.