OKLAHOMA CITY — State Senator Kendal Sacchieri has introduced legislation that would temporarily halt construction of new data centers across Oklahoma while state regulators study the facilities’ long-term effects on infrastructure and natural resources.

Senate Bill 1488, filed by Senator Sacchieri (R-Blanchard), would establish a moratorium on new data center development extending until November 1, 2029, and direct the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to conduct a comprehensive examination of how these large-scale facilities impact state communities.

Areas of Investigation

During the moratorium period, the Corporation Commission would be tasked with reviewing several critical concerns related to data center development:

• Water Supply Impacts: Assessment of data center water consumption and effects on local and regional water resources
• Utility Rate Pressures: Analysis of how large-scale power demands affect electricity costs for residential and commercial ratepayers
• Property Value Effects: Examination of data center facilities’ influence on surrounding property valuations
• Optimal Siting Practices: Evaluation of best practices for determining appropriate locations for data center construction

The Commission would be required to submit its findings and policy recommendations to the Legislature, informing future regulatory decisions regarding data center development.

Legislative Rationale

Senator Sacchieri emphasized that the legislation responds to significant uncertainties about data centers’ effects on Oklahoma communities and infrastructure.

The senator stressed the importance of addressing knowledge gaps before making irreversible development decisions.

Balancing Development and Protection

Senator Sacchieri characterized the moratorium as a prudent pause rather than a permanent prohibition, arguing that the state needs empirical evidence to develop appropriate regulations.

Legislative Status

Senate Bill 1488 has been officially filed for consideration during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature. The legislation currently awaits assignment to an appropriate committee for initial review and consideration.

If enacted, the legislation would represent one of the first state-level efforts to comprehensively examine data center development impacts before allowing further expansion of these facilities.

The moratorium’s 2029 end date would provide the Corporation Commission approximately three and a half years to conduct its study and develop policy recommendations based on empirical findings from existing Oklahoma data center operations.