Gov. Mary Fallin initially wanted 10 percent of GRDA revenue but learned that that would affect the authority’s debt rating and its electric rates.

The GRDA generates and markets electricity to municipalities and rural cooperatives throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states. It also administers Lake Hudson and Grand Lake and recently assumed the responsibilities of the Scenic Rivers Commission.

The GRDA is self-sustaining and does not receive money from the state.

Michael McNutt, a spokesman for Fallin, said “the GRDA should not need to adjust customer costs for this arrangement to work. The GRDA routinely engages in new spending because its revenues continue to grow, so it should be able to contribute this small amount without affecting rates.

“Considering its revenue and spending trends, the governor and Legislature would not look fondly on the GRDA passing any new costs on to customers as a result of this modest proposal.”

GRDA spokesman Justin Alberty said the authority sees things somewhat differently and would consider the assessment a tax on its customers.