Jenks Power Woes: PSO Addresses Outages Amidst Green Country Plant Acquisition

Jenks residents have recently experienced a series of power outages, prompting Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) to address the issue with the city council. The company detailed the causes of these disruptions, ranging from animal interference to equipment failures, and outlined planned upgrades to improve reliability. Concurrently, PSO's acquisition of the Green Country Power Plant in Jenks has been approved, a move expected to bolster energy capacity but also lead to increased customer bills.

Addressing Recurring Power Outages in Jenks

PSO representatives met with the Jenks City Council to explain the recurring power outages that have affected the city. Between November and December, Jenks experienced six outages, with durations lasting from a few minutes to nearly five hours. Dwayne Apple from PSO acknowledged the inconvenience, stating, "We understand that it’s not only an inconvenience for you but you deserve better, you deserve for your power to be on." Mayor Cory Box emphasized the need for solutions, especially during cold weather, highlighting that residents "deserve for your power to be on."

Key Takeaways:

• Six power outages occurred in Jenks between November and December.

• Causes included squirrels, foil balloons, and technology failures.

• PSO is implementing upgrades to prevent future outages.

PSO's Solutions and Infrastructure Upgrades

To mitigate future disruptions, PSO is undertaking several infrastructure improvements. These include upgrades at the Jenks Substation, with a focus on modernizing systems to rely more on computers and less on mechanical components. Ashley Nolte from PSO explained that "part of it had been upgraded, part of it hadn’t been, that was some of the miscoordination that we saw in November that we were able to identify and fix." Additionally, two transformers are being replaced at a substation located at 116th and Peoria, with completion expected in April. To address animal-related interference, PSO has installed protective equipment on over 30 power poles.

Approval of PSO's Green Country Plant Acquisition

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) has approved PSO's acquisition of the Green Country Power Plant, a 795 MW natural gas-fired facility in Jenks. This acquisition, slated for finalization by July 2025, is intended to enhance PSO's capacity to meet growing energy demands. Leigh Anne Strahler, President of PSO, stated, "Through this purchase, we are adding energy stability and reliability for the communities we serve." The deal, valued at $730 million, is projected to increase customer bills by an average of $7.24 per month, with potential for further rate adjustments in 2025. While the OCC approved the plan, Commissioner Todd Hiett expressed concerns about ratepayer protection and the necessity of expanding generating capacity.

Impact on Jenks Residents and Future Outlook

The acquisition of the Green Country Power Plant is expected to bring local benefits, including increased ad valorem tax revenue for Tulsa County schools and public services. However, the approved rate increases have drawn some criticism, with opponents arguing that sufficient safeguards for customers were not in place. PSO maintains that acquiring the existing facility is a more cost-effective approach than constructing a new plant to meet future energy needs. The company anticipates a 30-year lifespan for the Jenks plant, contributing significantly to its power generation portfolio.

Sources

• 'You deserve better:' PSO explains recurring power outages to Jenks City Council, provides potentialsolutions, News On 6.

• OCC Approves PSO's Acquisition of Green Country Plant, Powering Oklahoma's Energy Needs, PR Newswire.

• Power restored in Jenks after large outage | News, fox23.com.

• Oklahoma Corporation Commission OKs PSO's buy of Jenks plant, Tulsa World.

• Public Service Company of Oklahoma's power plant purchase would raise customer bills, KOSU.