Utilities

HB 2989, the Wildland Fire Mitigation Act, requires Oklahoma electric utilities to develop and maintain public "electrical wildland fire mitigation plans" addressing risks like vegetation management and infrastructure upgrades. These plans must cover geographic risk areas, inspection procedures, facility modifications, and fire response protocols, with utilities able to recover related costs through rate adjustments. The bill limits liability for utilities in fire-related lawsuits by shielding them from negligence claims if they followed safety codes, and caps property damage awards at restoration costs rather than market value. It also establishes a state program to incentivize landowners to adopt fire mitigation practices, directly affecting utilities, property owners, and land managers across Oklahoma.

HB 3392 defines "large load customers" as commercial or industrial entities (like data centers, AI facilities, or advanced manufacturing sites) with a minimum 50-megawatt electricity demand. It requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to study how these customers impact grid infrastructure, system reliability, electricity rates, and cost allocation to ensure they fairly bear incremental service costs. The Commission must assess whether current rate structures shift costs to residential or smaller commercial customers and report findings by December 1, 2027. This bill directly affects electric utilities, large commercial customers meeting the definition, and all ratepayers through potential rate adjustments. The study aims to inform future regulatory decisions on infrastructure investments and cost fairness.

HB 3520 requires utilities (like electric, water, or broadband providers) to complete infrastructure relocations within 90 days of receiving a public entity's notice for projects like roads or sewer systems. If they miss the deadline, utilities face a $5,000 daily penalty per project until work is finished, which is framed as a reasonable estimate of public delay costs, not a fine. Public entities funding projects (e.g., cities or counties) can enforce this by suing in court to collect penalties, seek court orders, or recover legal costs. The bill allows limited 90-day extensions only for natural disasters, federal delays, material shortages, or safety issues, with written approval required. It takes effect November 1, 2026.

HB 3724 regulates large energy users by defining "high-demand facilities" as commercial, industrial, or institutional sites using 75 megawatts or more of electricity. The bill prohibits these facilities from receiving taxpayer-funded subsidies (like tax credits or grants) and requires them to fully cover all grid infrastructure costs and water usage impacts. It mandates water recycling, limits daily water withdrawals to 25% of a provider’s current rate, and bans construction by foreign entities or on agricultural land. Additionally, facilities must submit decommissioning plans and comply with local noise rules without exceptions.

SB 335 prohibits retail electricity suppliers from offering certain financial incentives to customers, such as discounts for switching providers or promotional deals. It directly affects electricity providers and their residential and commercial customers in the state. The bill bans these specific incentive structures to prevent potential market distortion or unfair competition. Signed by the governor on May 22, 2025, it took immediate effect due to its emergency designation.