Fire Damage at Oklahoma Power Plant Could Reach $200M

Officials say the cost of damage from a fire at the Grand River Dam Authority’s main generating facility in Chouteau, Okla., could reach $200 million.

GRDA spokesman Justin Alberty says the July 1 fire’s total cost is expected to be $85 million to $200 million, depending mostly on the cost to rebuild the larger of the two coal-fired units that were affected. According to Alberty, it appears that insurance will cover most of the damage.

Officials believe the fire started after a lightning strike knocked out cooling pumps for one of the units, causing it to overheat and create a friction fire. The fire spread to the roof of the building and caused the other generator to automatically shut down.