News

GRDA’s 2021 in Review: Part 4

Jan 25, 2022

Recognized for restoration efforts … In October, GRDA received a commendation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for the mutual aid it provided in Louisiana, to help rebuild electric distribution systems, following Hurricane Ida.

Power for Progress… a weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority.

This week, we wrap up our review of the Grand River Dam Authority’s very active 2021 with a look back at the last quarter of the year and the activities that kept us busy in October, November, and December. Here are a few highlights from the fall of 2021:

In mid-October GRDA received a national commendation from the American Public Power Association for providing mutual aid electric power restoration efforts to the Lafayette (Louisiana) Utilities System, as well as the Terrebonne Parish Utilities Department in September, following Hurricane Ida.

Also in October, Fitch Ratings affirmed GRDA’s A+ credit rating and stable outlook. Fitch cited GRDA’s continued strong financial performance and very low operating costs as key reasons for the affirmation.

In November, GRDA met with its municipal customer group to provide updates on several issues including the ongoing Winter Storm Uri recovery plan, new power cost adjustment and further discussion on automated metering infrastructure (AMI) developments. The meeting was co-hosted by the longtime GRDA customer community of Cushing.

Also in November, GRDA’s Guard the Grand program partnered with the City of Tahlequah Stormwater Department to host a special “Landscaping for Water Quality” workshop that focused on simple changes residents can make in lawn care management to help improve water quality. GRDA helped facilitate a similar workshop in Stillwater earlier in the year.

With December’s arrival, GRDA marked President/CEO Dan Sullivan’s first full decade of service with the Authority and ten years of important developments that have helped to further the GRDA mission. Throughout the month, we also helped to celebrate the holiday season as GRDA Police participated in nearly 30 holiday parades across its customer communities and the service area.

As 2021 closed, GRDA looked back on a year that brought opportunity, challenge and progress across all areas of the Authority. Now, as 2022 moves forward, Team GRDA is prepared to meet another year of service to customers, stakeholders, and the people of Oklahoma.

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power 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.