Cherokee Nation EO 2026-02-CTH (Data Center Task Force)
Cherokee Nation EO 2026-02-CTH — Data Center Impact Task Force
Cherokee Nation (OK) · Cherokee Nation Executive Order 2026-02-CTH (Feb. 24, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- February 24, 2026
- Applies to
- Cherokee Nation government agencies and task force members; resulting recommendations may guide data-center approvals on tribal land
- Enforced by
- Cherokee Nation Office of the Principal Chief
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed Executive Order 2026-02-CTH on February 24, 2026, establishing a nine-member task force to study the environmental and economic impacts of data center development on the Cherokee Nation Reservation. The task force issued its final report in June 2026. Key finding: a large majority of Cherokee Nation citizens surveyed do not support hyperscale data center construction on the reservation. The Cherokee Nation adopted a formal policy position: it will not support hyperscale data center development on non-tribally-owned reservation lands unless developers conduct robust tribal consultation addressing cultural and natural resource concerns with meaningful community engagement throughout the project. On August 5, 2026, Principal Chief Hoskin made a broader announcement banning all data center development on tribal land — see cherokee-nation-dc-ban-2026 for the stronger, subsequent action.
Who is protected: Cherokee Nation citizens and Cherokee Nation Reservation natural environment
Legal detail
Cherokee Nation Executive Order 2026-02-CTH (Feb. 24, 2026) creates the 9-member 'Principal Chief's Task Force to Study the Impact of Data Centers on the Economy and Natural Environment of the Cherokee Nation Reservation.' Chair: Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice. Co-Chair: Dr. Corey Bunch (Cherokee Nation Chief of Staff). Member: Paula Starr (CIO). Total: 9 members. Charges: (1) assess present and future data-center development across the 7,000-square-mile Cherokee Nation Reservation; (2) identify environmental concerns (water, energy, noise, land use); (3) evaluate economic opportunities and detriments for Cherokee citizens; (4) identify barriers/opportunities for mitigation; (5) recommend state and federal policy advocacy options. Report deadline: June 30, 2026. Report issued: June 2026. Key findings: majority of citizens opposed to hyperscale development; environmental concerns (water, land, noise) predominated. Policy position adopted: no support for hyperscale DC on non-tribally-owned reservation lands without robust tribal consultation and meaningful community engagement. Distinct from EO 2024-07-CTH (Data Sovereignty and Governance Task Force, July 2024) and Cherokee Nation AI Policy (IT AI Policy). See also: Cherokee Nation (OK) hyperscale data center ban (Aug 5, 2026 broader ban).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Cherokee Nation (OK) |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | February 24, 2026 |
| Citation | Cherokee Nation Executive Order 2026-02-CTH (Feb. 24, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy · government use of AI · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Agency page | Cherokee Nation EO 2026-02-CTH — Data Center Impact Task Force (Cherokee Nation official PDF) |
More AI rules in Cherokee Nation (OK)
- Cherokee Nation (OK) hyperscale data center ban · In effect
- Cherokee Nation hyperscale data center ban (2026) · In effect
- Cherokee Nation AI Policy · In effect
- Cherokee Nation EO 2024-07-CTH · In effect
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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