Looking back on GRDAs’ 2018: Part 1

As we near the end of 2018, we wanted to take the opportunity to review some of the ways our Team GRDA workforce of 500-plus Oklahomans worked together to meet the Grand River Dam Authority’s mission for the state of Oklahoma, its ratepayers and other stakeholders. Here are a few highlights:

January: After much of 2017 was marked by the construction of its new Unit 3 combined cycle gas plant and repairs to its Unit 2 coal generator (damaged in 2016), the Grand River Energy Center (GREC) entered 2018 on a strong note. In fact, on the first day of the year GREC combined to reach an output of 978 megawatts from the new and newly-refurbished units.

Also in January, GRDA welcomed home some of its transmission personnel who spent much of December in the U.S. Virgin Islands, helping that territory rebuild its electric infrastructure after hurricane damage. This was another example of GRDA responding to mutual aid requests for assistance from other public power utilities.

February: At the Tulsa Boat Show, GRDA Police continued to stress the importance of life jackets with its “lifejacket challenge” simulator to help participants understand just how little time they have to put a jacket on following a boat accident. The simulator sent an important message: Wear it! 

Also in February, GRDA met with all of its customer classes in annual meetings that help to maintain beneficial partnerships and keep the lines of communication open.

March: GRDA was the proud recipient of two “Regents Business Partnership Excellence” Awards for its work with Northeastern State University (Tahlequah) on a new water lab as well as its partnership with NEO A&M College (Miami) for utilization of GRDA property in Ottawa County for outdoor classrooms.

Both awards highlighted GRDA’s continued support of education across the state, as well as its commitment to be a good steward of the natural resources under its control.

Next week, we will continue our look back on GRDA’s 2018 with a review of April, May and June.

Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees and efficiency. 

# # #