Grand River Dam Authority considers options to replace coal unit in Chouteau

“Critical Clean Air Act standards are protecting public health and ensuring that utilities cannot pollute our communities unabated,” Pearson said. “Oklahoma has an abundance of wind and solar potential that are viable options to meet GRDA’s power needs.”

Generally, coal- and gas-fired plants are used by utilities for what’s called baseload generation. Wind and solar are intermittent sources.

GRDA, based in Vinita, generates electricity from three hydroelectric projects, the coal plant in Chouteau, a natural gas plant in Luther and by a power-purchase agreement for wind energy under construction in Canadian County.