McMillen Jacobs assisted Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) with the successful relicensing of the Salina Pumped Storage Project (FERC No. P-2524). The 260 MW project, located on the Saline Creek arm of Lake Hudson is one in a series of hydroelectric projects operated by GRDA on the Grand River watershed of Oklahoma. The project utilizes W.R. Holway Reservoir (the upper reservoir) to generate electricity during the day to meet on-peak energy demands and Lake Hudson (the lower reservoir) for pump-back operations during the night. GRDA and McMillen Jacobs began the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing process in 2011.

McMillen Jacobs guided the Salina Project through FERC’s Integrated Licensing Process (ILP). As the initial step, McMillen Jacobs prepared the Notice of Intent (NOI) and Pre-Application Document (PAD). To do this, McMillen Jacobs completed due diligence and other research to identify all information potentially relevant to the Salina Project. Once collected, the relevant, existing information was reviewed and summarized in the PAD. McMillen Jacobs documented all source information and outreach for this effort.

McMillen Jacobs participated in FERC’s Scoping Meetings to answer questions that arose about information included in the PAD. Following the Scoping Meetings, McMillen Jacobs assisted GRDA with evaluating study requests, prepared the Proposed Study Plan (PSP), participated in study plan meetings, tracked study plan comments, and in response to agency and stakeholder comments, prepared the Revised Study Plan (RSP). McMillen Jacobs then led the development of the draft and final license applications and supporting documentation. GRDA received its new license for the Salina Project on October 16, 2015.

The new operating license allows for continued operation of the project with no new restrictions on operating flexibility along with enhanced non-motorized boating access. Since receipt of license, McMillen Jacobs has provided GRDA compliance support by developing a compliance tracking system, assembling and making exhibit drawing filings, and preparing specific resource management plans including the vegetation management plan and revised rare, threatened and endangered species monitoring plan.