GRDA Green Lights Plans To Increase Utility’s Capacity
GRDA proceeds with plan to build, refurbish plants
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer on May 8, 2013
VINITA — Grand River Dam Authority directors took tentative steps Wednesday toward implementing a $380 million proposal to increase the state-owned electric utility’s generating capacity while lowering its emissions.
In its current form, the plan includes a new 300-megawatt combined cycle natural gas plant at the GRDA complex near Chouteau, the conversion of the existing coal-fired Unit 1 at that location and full environmental upgrades to the coal-fired Unit 2.
The plan also anticipates a large increase in purchased wind power.
The GRDA — and all electric utilities — face an April 2016 deadline to meet new Environmental Protection Agency standards, or to at least be able to show substantial progress toward meeting them. Officials say the combined cycle plant could be finished by late 2016 if the planning and permitting process begins this spring.
GRDA directors, though, balked at fully endorsing Wednesday’s proposal, agreeing only to let staff proceed with preparation of certain time-sensitive documents.