Governor Fallin Suspends GRDA Task Force Formed Last Month

Governor Mary Fallin is disbanding a task force looking into the GRDA workings that she started in July. Fallin believes the task force might have unintended negative consequences that could eventually lead to higher utility rates for consumers.

"That is not an outcome any of us support," she said in a news release Tuesday.

Fallin created the task force in early July to look at possibly privatizing or splitting the agency in two parts. She said while she still supports that mission, she is listening to concerns from GRDA leadership that the task force may negatively affect the agency future bond ratings.

The governor had also requested that the GRDA table a vote on building a $300 million natural gas power plant, and that vote will now proceed, the release states.

7/10/2013 Related Story: GRDA Tables Vote On $300 M Natural Gas Plant

The board may vote as early as this Wednesday.

"Bond rating agencies will likely react negatively to the uncertainty created by an ongoing performance review like the one conducted by this task force," Fallin said.

"That, in turn, could negatively impact GRDA's bond rating, dramatically increasing the total cost of a new power plant and ultimately raising utility rates for Oklahomans."

Fallin said she is now satisfied that the GRDA leadership is able to make an informed decision on the power plant.