Committee backs bill to shield ratepayers from large data‑center infrastructure costs

Chairman Bowles presented House Bill 2,992, titled in committee as the Data Center Customer Protection and Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026. Bowles said the measure targets new “hyperscaler” data centers and large computing facilities (above a 75‑megawatt threshold) that can create substantial new demand and infrastructure costs for utilities.

Under the bill, large new customers would be required to help pay for the dedicated infrastructure that serves them, to amortize those costs over a minimum 10‑year agreement and to provide collateral and other contractual protections so utilities do not end up with stranded infrastructure costs should a customer default or cease operations.

Representative Greg, citing a local case in Poteau, asked whether the bill would protect ratepayers from a scenario in which a data center runs up large unpaid bills and then dissolves. Bowles said the bill is designed to prevent that outcome through deposits, security and long‑term contractual obligations; he emphasized the measure applies to new data centers, not existing customers with existing contracts.

Representative Archer asked whether the measure would deter economic development by imposing infrastructure costs on prospective large users; Bowles said the bill is intended as a balance between protecting ratepayers and allowing future economic development, and noted oversight mechanisms already exist through the Corporation Commission and cooperative governance.

The committee moved, seconded and reported the bill out of committee as due passed.