Grand River Dam Authority
| Company type | State agency |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric power generation, Water management |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Headquarters | Tulsa , United States |
Area served | Northeastern Oklahoma (24 counties) |
Key people | Dan Sullivan (President and CEO) |
| Products | Hydroelectric power, Natural gas power, Wind energy, Water management |
Number of employees | 450 (2009) |
| Website | grda |
The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) is an Oklahoma state agency founded in 1935 with the purpose of developing and overseeing the Grand River waterway. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, GRDA functions as a self-sustaining organization funded through the sale of electricity and water, operating independently of state tax revenues. The authority is empowered to issue revenue bonds to finance capital projects.
In 2012, GRDA recorded operating revenues close to US $412 million, marking an increase from $395.5 million reported in 2011.
The agency administers three hydroelectric power plants along with two reservoirs: Grand Lake, Lake Hudson, and the Salina Pumped Storage Project, which incorporates the W. R. Holway Reservoir. Additionally, GRDA owns the GRDA Energy Center, previously known as the GRDA Coal-Fired Complex. The Energy Control Center, which contains the System Operations Center, is situated at Robert S. Kerr Dam near Locust Grove, Oklahoma. In 2016, GRDA assumed responsibility for managing the waters of the scenic Illinois River following the transfer of duties from the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission. Its service area spans 24 counties in northeastern Oklahoma and includes collaborative ventures such as the Canadian Hills wind farm.
History
According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Henry Holderman, a member of the Cherokee Nation, first conceptualized harnessing the Grand River for hydroelectric power generation intended to benefit the Cherokee people. Prior to Oklahoma achieving statehood in 1907, Holderman garnered political backing for this initiative. A feasibility assessment conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers paved the way for establishing the Grand River Dam Authority as a state entity in 1935. Construction of the Pensacola Dam on the Grand River commenced in 1938 under a Works Progress Administration project, reaching completion in March 1940. During World War II, from 1941 until 1946, federal authorities operated Pensacola Dam to support wartime needs before control was reverted back to GRDA in August 1946.
GRDA’s second hydroelectric installation was initiated in 1961 downstream from Pensacola Dam at Markham Ferry. Later renamed Robert S. Kerr Dam, this project formed Lake Hudson and was finalized in 1964. Its powerhouse contains four turbines with a combined generating capacity of 114,000 kW, producing approximately 211 million kWh annually on average.
Between 1968 and 1971, GRDA developed the Salina Pumped Storage Project, which created Lake W. R. Holway. This facility operates by pumping water from Lake Hudson to Lake Holway during periods of low electricity demand and releasing it back through pump-generators when demand peaks, generating up to 260 MW.
In the late 1970s, GRDA constructed a Coal-fired Power Generation Complex near Chouteau, Oklahoma. Now exceeding four decades in operation, its two generating units are undergoing retrofits aimed at meeting current emission regulations and enhancing operational efficiency.
In 2008, GRDA collaborated with Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) and Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) to acquire the Redbud Generation plant near Luther, Oklahoma for $434.5 million. This natural gas facility has a capacity rating of 1,230 MW; GRDA holds a 36% share, OG&E owns 51% and manages operations, while OMPA retains the remaining interest.
A new visitors' center adjacent to Pensacola Dam was inaugurated by GRDA in 2010. This facility includes offices for Ecosystems Management, a water research laboratory, headquarters for the Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, an auditorium, and historical displays.
On June 13, 2012, GRDA became a member of the Large Public Power Council (LPPC), an organization representing major publicly owned electric utilities across the United States that focuses on matters such as taxation, financing strategies, regulatory engagement with FERC, as well as energy and environmental policy issues.
Privatization Proposal
In July 2013, Governor Mary Fallin (R) issued an executive directive to establish a 15-member task force charged with investigating the potential dissolution of GRDA and the disposition of its assets. This panel featured individuals with expertise in the energy sector as well as two representatives from her “Bold Ideas” initiative.
Nevertheless, on August 13, 2013, Governor Fallin placed the task force on indefinite hold, citing unfavorable timing and worries that the review might interfere with GRDA’s plans to issue revenue bonds. Despite this suspension, she reaffirmed her endorsement of the task force’s objectives.
Canadian Hills Wind Energy Facility
GRDA maintains a financial interest in the Canadian Hills wind farm located near El Reno, Oklahoma. This project was developed by Apex Wind Energy Holdings LLC alongside Atlantic Power Corp. The wind farm originally consisted of 135 turbines producing a total capacity of 300 MW. The electricity generated is sold to GRDA, Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, and Southwestern Electric Power Company. A notable arrangement includes Google contracting with GRDA to acquire up to 48 MW for powering its data center in Pryor.
Natural Gas-Fueled Generation Plant
On January 14, 2014, the GRDA Board authorized a $372 million investment to add gas turbine generators at the Chouteau Coal-Fired Complex, now renamed the Grand River Energy Center. The newly constructed Unit 3 is designed with a capacity of 495 MW; the turbine-generators alone accounted for $77.84 million of this expenditure. Mitsubishi Power Systems provided M501J gas turbines and SRT-50 steam turbines for the project.
This combined cycle facility improves operational efficiency by utilizing natural gas turbines and capturing exhaust heat to produce supplementary steam-generated power. Originally planned for commissioning in 2017, Unit 3 has since become fully operational.
Leadership
As of January 2024
- Executive Leadership**
- President and Chief Executive Officer** - Dan Sullivan
- Chief Operating Officer*** - Tim Brown
- Chief Financial Officer*** - Erik Feighner
- Executive Vice President and Chief of Law Enforcement*** - Brian Edwards
- Executive Vice President of Corporate & Strategic Communications*** - John Wiscaver
- Executive Vice President for External Relations*** - Nathan Reese
- Executive Vice President of Human Resources*** - Laura Hunter
- Executive Assistant to CEO / Corporate Secretary*** - Shelia Allen
- Vice President of Grand River Energy Center Operations*** - Robert Ladd
- General Counsel*** - Heath Lofton
Financial Overview and Staffing
Standard & Poor’s elevated GRDA’s credit rating from "BBB+" to "A−" with a positive outlook in 2007, marking the first upgrade in the agency’s history. Fitch Ratings followed suit with a similar enhancement in 2008. The A− rating was maintained through 2012, facilitating advantageous borrowing conditions.
In 2012, GRDA reported operating revenues approaching US $412 million, an increase from $395.5 million recorded in 2011. For Fiscal Year 2009, the authority managed a budget of $314 million and employed approximately 450 personnel (390 classified positions and 60 unclassified).
See also
Further reading
- W. R. Holway, A History of the Grand River Dam Authority, State of Oklahoma, 1935-1968, 2 volumes (Tulsa, Okla.: N.p., 1968-69).
- Voices of Oklahoma interview with Dr. Bruce Howard regarding the establishment of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees and Pensacola Dam. First-person interview recorded on December 2, 2014.