President is right to demand that Big Tech, not ratepayers, should pay for the industry’s enormous energy use. Oklahoma has set an example for how this approach can be win-win.
Sen. Grant Green Guest columnist
March 11, 2026, 6:45 a.m. CT
Oklahomans strongly support President Donald Trump, and he loves Oklahoma.
It’s for good reason. This state has given him a lot. After all, in each of his presidential campaigns, all 77 counties backed him at the ballot box.
When it comes to the proposed ratepayer protection plan that the president announced in his State of the Union speech, this state is giving him more than votes. We’re offering up a practical model for moving forward.
The “Behind the Meter” legislation I authored last year reflects the same pro-consumer energy policies President Trump has championed throughout his historic presidency.
Data centers are already here, and more are likely coming, whether we like it or not. Senate Bill 480, often called the “Behind the Meter” bill, shields Oklahomans from higher electricity costs as these developments can put a significant strain on our electric grid.
“Behind the Meter” is not the impetus for a wave of data centers looking to locate in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Legislature unanimously passed this legislation because a growing number of data centers were looking to develop in this state.
Without this law on the books, these companies would develop across Oklahoma and draw massive amounts of electricity from the grid. That means ratepayers would shoulder the costs of building out our grid infrastructure to accommodate these unprecedented needs.
Under that scenario, Oklahomans’ utility rates could skyrocket.
“Behind the Meter” protects consumers while also boosting economic development and attracting new investment to the state. Under this law, major manufacturers and other industrial businesses should have some skin in the game. They should develop their own on-site power generation and energy storage facilities to do their part to be good neighbors.
Building on the success of “Behind the Meter,” I’ve been working with Rep. Brad Boles on the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026. This bill would require large-load customers, such as data centers, cloud storage facilities, and artificial intelligence centers, to fund the infrastructure needed for their energy demands or operate behind the meter.
I applaud the president’s push for a nationwide ratepayer protection plan because this idea is already working in Oklahoma. It’s shielding families from soaring energy bills while positioning our state as a leader in business development and growth.
Recently, Mecad USA — a massive engineering and technology firm — announced it will build its U.S. Headquarters at the Port of Catoosa, creating 300 new jobs and investing an estimated $13.4 million in the facility.
Here’s the kicker. This international company chose Oklahoma because “Behind the Meter” gives them the flexibility to meet their own power needs.
President Trump is right to demand that Big Tech, not ratepayers, should pay for the industry’s enormous energy use. Oklahoma has set an example for how this approach can be win-win for residents and businesses.
We’ve already created a blueprint that works. Washington should take note and follow Oklahoma’s lead.