Data Part Two: Oversight, Finance, and Health Updates

The previous story, “Data Part One,” asked if high speed private fiber optics lines (Dark Fiber) were being installed illegally in Oklahoma to connect multiple data centers. The layman’s answer is yes as profiteers place private lines in presumed public rights-of-way without compensation, notice to landowners, or surveys. Not to put too fine a point on it, but without surveys, then are no accurate installations.

The Oklahoma Attorney Generals (AG) office has been asked to review the matter, but according to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), by law, they are not allowed to regulate data fiber. Only Oklahoma County Government is currently regulating installation and Wagoner County Commissioners, to their credit, have requested clarification from the AG office. There is no state oversight or consistent rule statewide.

Complicating matters, local officials—encouraged by economic special interests, supported by regional planning organizations, and pursuing economic gains—are signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to keep data center financial, construction, and operational details from the public.

Citizens object because publicly elected officials are sworn to represent citizens and many believe they betray constituents to sign such agreements. A law was proposed but defeated in the Oklahoma Legislature last year to specifically prohibit elected officials from signing such private NDAs. It should have been called the “Who’s your daddy law.”

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