From the Top – Feb. 2026 | OEC News

As we move into February, Oklahoma’s legislative session comes into full view. This is when our statewide association, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, becomes more active at the Capitol. The association represents all electric cooperatives in the state, and together we meet with lawmakers to share our insights on the horizon and explain how proposed bills could impact co-op members back home.

The impact of proposed bills on electric cooperatives

Some years, we support legislation that strengthens reliability or protects our ability to serve you well. In other years, our attention is drawn to bills that could add cost without providing real value.

Why added costs matter to co-op members

Because OEC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, any margin we earn is returned to you, and any new cost becomes a rate impact. When a proposal increases our expenses with no clear benefit, it functions much like a tax on electric consumers. Part of our job is helping legislators understand that connection to prevent unnecessary burdens.

Legislators welcome cooperative insight

Most lawmakers want to avoid unnecessary costs for Oklahomans. Once they see how a bill could influence the electric rate impact on members, they usually want to get it right. These conversations matter because they enable us to demonstrate the practical impact of policy decisions and advocate for stable, affordable power for our communities. It is crucial to maintain these dialogues to ensure fair policies.

Exploring legislation on data centers

In this month’s magazine, you’ll notice that our Key Accounts & Advocacy Specialist, Tim Ferree, has an article focusing on the growing interest in data centers and what that means for our members. Large power users present both opportunities and challenges, especially as energy policy in Oklahoma continues to evolve, and the legislative landscape can significantly influence how those projects evolve. As we monitor bills at the Capitol, we’re also paying close attention to how emerging industries fit into long-term planning for reliability and cost.

Stay engaged—your voice matters

I encourage you to keep an eye on this magazine for quarterly updates. If we ask for your involvement, know that your perspective helps ensure policy decisions support stable, affordable, dependable power for all 100,000 members and subscribers. Stay tuned for potential developments in the upcoming months that might require your vital input.

Thank you for being part of our cooperative future

Thank you for staying engaged and for supporting the cooperative model. Your involvement strengthens OEC and helps us continue delivering safe, reliable and fairly priced service to the communities we’re proud to serve. Together, we achieve great things.