Oklahoma House Passes Data Center Bill

Legislation aims to shield ratepayers from higher electric rates due to large data centers and crypto mining

Mar. 24, 2026 at 6:10am

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The Oklahoma House has passed a bill, HB 2992, introduced by Rep. Brad Boles that is designed to protect ratepayers from higher electric rates caused by large-load data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. However, the bill would not apply to other large industrial users such as the planned aluminum smelter near Inola.

Why it matters

Data centers and cryptocurrency mining can place significant demands on the electric grid, potentially driving up costs for residential and small business customers. This bill seeks to address those concerns, though it excludes other types of large industrial users.

The details

HB 2992 would give the Oklahoma Corporation Commission more authority to regulate large-load data centers and crypto mining operations to ensure their electricity usage does not unduly burden other ratepayers. The bill, however, would not apply to other major industrial facilities like the planned aluminum smelter near Inola.

  • The Oklahoma House passed HB 2992 on March 24, 2026.

The players

Rep. Brad Boles

The Oklahoma state representative who introduced HB 2992.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission

The state regulatory body that would gain more authority to oversee large data centers and crypto mining operations under HB 2992.

Inola Aluminum Smelter

A large industrial facility planned near the town of Inola, Oklahoma, which would not be covered under the provisions of HB 2992.

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What’s next

The bill now heads to the Oklahoma State Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to balance the needs of data centers and crypto miners with protecting ratepayers, though it leaves out other types of large industrial users that could also impact electric rates.