Governor Stitt Joins Trump Ratepayer Protection Pledge For AI Data Centers
- mike33692
- 1 day ago
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Governor Stitt Joins Trump Ratepayer Protection Pledge For AI Data Centers
Governor Kevin Stitt has joined 23 Republican governors in signing President Donald Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge, a nationwide commitment aimed at ensuring the cost of powering large artificial intelligence data centers is paid by the companies building them—not Oklahoma families.
The announcement builds on legislation Oklahoma enacted earlier this year requiring the state's largest electricity users to finance the infrastructure needed to support their operations rather than passing those costs along to residential and small-business utility customers.
Ratepayer Protection Pledge Focuses On AI Energy Costs
The pledge calls for large technology companies, artificial intelligence data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations to pay the full cost of the electrical infrastructure required to serve their facilities.
As demand for AI computing continues to grow nationwide, utilities are facing requests for massive new power capacity to support data centers that can consume enormous amounts of electricity around the clock. Supporters of the pledge argue that existing utility customers should not be responsible for funding those upgrades through higher monthly electric bills.
According to the Office of Governor Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma remains committed to attracting technology investment while protecting ratepayers from unnecessary infrastructure costs.
Governor Stitt said the state is "open for business," but believes economic development should occur in a way that protects both the electric grid and Oklahoma consumers.
Oklahoma Law Already Requires Large Users To Pay
Oklahoma was already ahead of many states on the issue before the national pledge was announced.
In May, Stitt signed House Bill 2992, the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, into law.
According to the Oklahoma State Legislature, the law applies to large-load customers—including AI computing facilities and cryptocurrency mining operations—that require 75 megawatts or more of electricity.
To put that in perspective, a 75-megawatt facility can consume enough electricity to power tens of thousands of homes.
Under the legislation, those companies must enter into 10-year contracts requiring them to fully fund the transmission lines, substations and other electrical infrastructure necessary to serve their facilities.
Supporters say the requirement helps prevent utilities from recovering those costs through higher rates charged to homes and small businesses.
Stitt Says Oklahoma Can Grow Without Raising Utility Bills
Stitt has consistently said Oklahoma wants to compete for major technology projects, including artificial intelligence investments, while ensuring the costs of that growth remain with the companies creating the demand.
Supporters of the new law and the national pledge argue that protecting consumers from infrastructure costs will strengthen Oklahoma's electric system while still allowing the state to attract high-paying technology jobs and long-term investment.
Critics have argued that additional regulations could slow AI development, but Stitt has dismissed those concerns, saying consumer protections and economic growth can exist together. As AI continues expanding across the country, Oklahoma leaders say the state intends to welcome new investment while ensuring existing utility customers are not left paying the bill.
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