LOCAL COLUMN
OPINION: New Mexico can lead the clean energy future if we stay the course
New Mexico made a bold commitment in 2019.
With the passage of the Energy Transition Act, our state set a clear path toward carbon-free electricity. That vision was not theoretical. It was a directive to act.
Today, that future is taking shape across communities like ours.
At Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, we serve rural northern New Mexico. For our members, affordability and reliability are not abstract ideas. They are essential. Every decision we make is grounded in delivering power that people can depend on at a cost they can manage.
Over the past decade, we have transformed how we provide electricity. We have stabilized costs while expanding our use of renewable energy. We have demonstrated that rural cooperatives can lead with discipline and deliver results.
We intend to continue that work.
The next phase of this transition requires a focus on long-duration energy storage. Renewable energy resources such as solar and wind are critical, but they are not constant. To meet the goals of the Energy Transition Act, we must ensure that clean energy is available when our communities need it most.
Hydrogen energy storage is one tool that can help us achieve that goal.
We also recognize that any new energy project in New Mexico must be evaluated through the lens of water.
Water is not just a local concern in places like Questa and Taos County. It is a statewide issue that affects agriculture, communities, ecosystems and long-term economic stability.
That is why water stewardship is a core part of the project鈥檚 development.
Our proposed hydrogen facility in Questa is designed to use water efficiently and responsibly, with systems that prioritize reuse and minimize overall consumption. Water used in the process is not released as a pollutant and is managed within a controlled system. The project has also undergone federal environmental review to ensure that it does not result in significant impacts on local water resources.
We understand the concern. We share the responsibility. Protecting water resources is not optional. It is fundamental to how we operate.
At the same time, we must address the realities of a changing energy landscape.
We operate in a global environment where fuel prices fluctuate, and supply chains remain uncertain. These pressures directly impact the cost of electricity for our members.
Our role is to provide stability.
We must invest in solutions that protect our members from price volatility. We must ensure reliability while maintaining affordability. Long-duration energy storage is a key part of that strategy because it allows us to store renewable energy and deliver it when it is needed most.
KCEC has a proven track record of execution. When we commit to a goal, we deliver. That consistency is the foundation of the trust our members place in us.
The Energy Transition Act set an ambitious standard for all utilities, including cooperatives. In northern New Mexico, we are showing that this standard can be met. We are building a system that is cleaner, more resilient and more cost-effective.
This work supports a broader outcome. It contributes to cleaner air, responsible water management and a higher quality of life for the communities we serve.
New Mexico has established a clear direction. It is now our responsibility to continue moving forward with focus and discipline.
At KCEC, we are doing exactly that.
Luis Reyes is the CEO of the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative.
