The Grand River Dam Authority, headquartered in Vinita, is Oklahoma’s only state-owned electric company. As such, I believe they need to be fully accountable and transparent to our citizens—particularly those who rely on and support the GRDA.  But instead, it appears the GRDA’s board and management seem to think they don’t have to answer to anyone, refusing to listen to concerns voiced by private citizens, legislators and even Gov. Mary Fallin.

I was stunned when I heard about the GRDA Board of Directors plans to purchase a 40,000 square foot office building in Tulsa, in an area GRDA does not even serve. They claimed they needed to have offices there to be able to recruit engineers and other personnel, but frankly, a lot of people aren’t buying it.  Needs for additional space could have been met much closer to their base of operations.

I was joined by seven Northeastern Oklahoma lawmakers who questioned this move, and urged the GRDA Board not to do this. We’re very concerned that this will ultimately mean a loss of jobs in Northeastern Oklahoma, and although GRDA denies it, many people feel this is their first move towards relocating their operations to Tulsa.

Gov. Fallin was also appalled by the plan to purchase this office building in Tulsa, which I understand could ultimately cost $5 to $6 million. She urged them to put off the vote—but the Board and CEO chose to ignore the governor and legislators and voted in favor of purchasing the building anyway. Many of us felt this move was a slap in the face to Northeastern Oklahoma.

For the past several years, GRDA has been under a cloud as a result of questionable leadership and spending decisions. Despite changes in leadership, they seem bent on continuing down that path, causing lawmakers, the public and Gov. Fallin to have grave concerns about the utility’s direction.

Although legislation giving the governor more control over the GRDA failed in the House this session, I believe we may well see a renewed interest in doing something to ensure this organization is more receptive and responsive to the concerns of those they are supposed to be serving.

 As always, I welcome your comments on state government.  Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator Charles Wyrick at the State Capitol, Room 521, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105; call me at (405) 521-5561.