Behind the Meter Legislation Heads to Governor's Desk
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, has secured final passage of Senate Bill 480 , legislation that allows private industry to develop and manage their own power solutions "behind the meter". The bill will open the door for billions of dollars for new economic development across Oklahoma. "I am proud that the Legislature has come together to pass Senate Bill 480, which will be a game changer for Oklahomans," Boles said. "This is a proactive solution that could help address the bottleneck in grid connections, especially for large industrial consumers. By enabling the private sector to fund and develop energy infrastructure, the bill will alleviate pressure on Oklahoma’s electric grid, allowing businesses to meet growing energy demands more efficiently." Passing the Oklahoma House with a unanimous vote of 90-0, Boles highlighted the significance of this bill in encouraging economic growth in Oklahoma, particularly in light of the state's abundant natural gas resources. "I want to thank my legislative colleagues, Senator Green, and the 67 House co-authors of this bill, which reflects the strong bipartisan support for what it will do for our great state," Boles said. "With this legislation, Oklahoma is poised to attract billions in new investment and job creation, while minimizing the need for long transmission lines by generating power closer to where it’s needed." Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, served as the Senate author of the bill, playing a key role in guiding it through the Senate. His efforts were instrumental in building support in the Senate for the measure and advancing its goals of strengthening Oklahoma’s energy infrastructure and economic development. “This legislation is a big win for Oklahoma because it allows private businesses to advance development projects without delays in areas lacking energy infrastructure,” Green said. “Simply put, Senate Bill 480 paves the way for greater economic expansion by giving companies the freedom and flexibility to meet their own energy needs while protecting our existing energy grid from the strain of these large energy consumers.” The bill is particularly relevant as the demand for energy rises due to growing investments in manufacturing and AI data centers in the Midwest and Southeast. As the U.S. faces significant delays in grid connection, often spanning five to seven years, SB480 provides a solution that positions Oklahoma as a national leader in accommodating these new large-scale energy demands without risking grid reliability to our constituents. With support from private industry and safeguards for ratepayers, Boles views SB480 as a win for Oklahoma’s economy, job creation and energy independence. SB480 passes both legislative chambers with unanimous support and now awaits the governor’s signature.