Representative Brad Boles

R

District 51

Hi, I'm Brad Boles and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 51st District.


representative

Leadership

Oversight Committee Chair

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

May 13, 2026
Recent Posts

Boles, Green Applaud Governor for Signing Bill Protecting Consumers from Rising Utility Costs Tied to New Data Centers

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, are praising Gov. Kevin Stitt for signing House Bill 2992 , the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, into law. The measure is designed to protect Oklahoma families, small businesses and traditional utility customers from rising utility and infrastructure costs tied to large-scale energy users such as data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities. "As Oklahoma continues to grow and attract this new industry, we have to make sure the cost of that growth does not fall on hardworking families and small businesses," Boles said. "I appreciate Governor Stitt for signing this legislation into law, Senator Green for his partnership and all of my colleagues for recognizing the importance of protecting Oklahoma ratepayers. I am proud that Oklahomans will not be forced to subsidize the infrastructure needs of massive data centers and other large-scale energy users while still allowing our state to grow responsibly." Green also praised the signing of the bill, saying the new law will give local communities a voice and greater transparency when new data center developments are proposed in their areas. "As a farmer and rancher, I have serious concerns about the growing number of data centers and how they could impact rural Oklahoma," Green said. "One of my biggest fears is that thousands of acres of prime farmland could be ruined by massive warehouses and industrial sites that drain all the local resources. I don’t want to see that happen here in Oklahoma. The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act brings much-needed transparency to these developments, so deals aren’t made behind closed doors without input from local property owners. I want to thank Representative Boles for being a great partner as we worked on this legislation. I also appreciate the support from the governor and my colleagues across the Legislature." HB2992 sets guidelines for how Oklahoma utilities and regulators manage the growing energy demands of large-scale users, including data centers and AI facilities consuming 75 megawatts or more of power. The law also increases transparency by requiring developers to notify nearby landowners, county commissioners and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission within 60 days of acquiring land for qualifying projects. "This bill makes it clear that when you plug into Oklahoma’s world class energy grid, you come to the table as a partner and do your part to cover the costs," Gov. Stitt said. "That’s how we keep Oklahoma a Top 10 state and the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family. Oklahoma is open for business, and we welcome data centers and other technology investments that want to grow here the right way." The legislation aligns with the Ratepayer Protection Pledge Proclamation issued by President Donald Trump, which calls on leading hyperscalers and AI companies to provide and pay for the energy and infrastructure needed to build and operate data centers. Several major technology companies have also agreed that as energy demand grows alongside new data center development, American households should not bear the cost of the required infrastructure. 36 House and Senate lawmakers from both parties signed on as co-authors of the legislation. The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 becomes effective July 1.

May 6, 2026
Recent Posts

OK Legislature Advances Data Center Ratepayer Protection Bill to Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, which aims to shield Oklahoma families and small businesses from higher utility costs tied to large-scale energy users like data centers, is one step closer to becoming law. Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, is the author of House Bill 2992 , which passed the House floor as well as the Senate floor yesterday with a unanimous vote. The measure establishes guidelines for how all Oklahoma electric suppliers and regulators manage the growing energy demands of data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities. "I am grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature for their overwhelming bipartisan support to pass this bill and truly appreciate that so many of my colleagues have signed on as co-authors of this bill," Boles said. "I also really appreciate Senator Grant Green who carried this effort forward and got it across the finish line in the Senate. We have a duty to our constituents to put proper ratepayer protections and safeguards in place in state statute. Oklahoma families and small businesses should not be expected to finance major system upgrades required for high-demand users. Those costs should rest with the companies driving the need." The bill defines "large load customers" as new facilities adding 75 megawatts or more of demand and clarifies that residential, commercial, and traditional industrial customers are not included in that classification. The bill also adds a notice requirement within 60 days of acquiring land for these large load customers requiring them to notify the adjoining landowners, county commissioners, and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission which adds more transparency for local communities at the beginning stages of these large projects. Currently, 36 House and Senate lawmakers from both parties have signed on as co-authors of this bill alongside Rep. Boles and Sen. Green, R-Wellston, who are the primary authors. "I’m glad to see this critical reform pass the Legislature unanimously," Green said. "If private companies want to build in this state, they need to pay their own way and be good neighbors to the Oklahomans who have lived off this land their whole lives. Under this legislation, data centers and other facilities that consume massive amounts of energy can't pass their costs on to hardworking Oklahomans. Most importantly, data center developers won’t be able to buy land without notifying the community and nearby neighbors of their plans. This is a major victory for Oklahoma ratepayers that closely aligns with President Trump's broader efforts to protect consumers from higher utility costs." The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 now moves to the Governor's office to consider signing into law.

Mar 23, 2026
Recent Posts

House Advances Rep. Boles' Bill to Protect Ratepayers from Data Center Energy Costs

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, which aims to shield Oklahoma families and small businesses from higher utility costs tied to large-scale energy users like data centers, is one step closer to becoming law. Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, is the author of House Bill 2992 , which passed the House floor with a 92-2 vote. The measure establishes guidelines for how all Oklahoma electric suppliers and regulators manage the growing energy demands of data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities. "I am grateful to my colleagues in the House for their overwhelming bipartisan support to pass this bill and truly appreciate that so many of my colleagues have signed on as co-authors of this bill," Rep. Boles said. "I look forward to working with Senator Green to carry this effort forward and get it across the finish line in the Senate. We have a duty to our constituents to put proper ratepayer protections and safeguards in place in state statute. Oklahoma families and small businesses should not be expected to finance major system upgrades required for high-demand users. Those costs should rest with the companies driving the need." The bill defines "large load customers" as new facilities adding 75 megawatts or more of demand and clarifies that residential, commercial and traditional industrial customers are not included in that classification. Currently, 23 House and Senate lawmakers from both parties have signed on as co-authors of this bill alongside Rep. Boles and Sen. Green, R-Wellston, who are the primary authors. The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.