An Electric Co-Op Delivering on Renewable Energy for Everyone in Our Community

By Luis Reyes, CEO of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC). 

I had a good but humble upbringing in rural Taos, New Mexico. I grew up playing outside with friends in a pristine landscape among beautiful mountains, outdoor recreation, and clean air. At that time, the many power outages where I lived and the lack of other urban amenities didn't bother me.  

When I was a junior in high school, I decided I wanted to become an electrical engineer, but I didn't think about clean energy then. It was when I became the CEO of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC), a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving Taos, Colfax, and Rio Arriba counties since 1944, that I realized the tremendous potential of a green economy and how I could make a difference through renewable energy by delivering affordable power to my community.  

As a leader, you must be able and ready to make the tough decisions, reach out to your members and take the extra hours to make a difference. You must show people you believe in what you ask them to do and surround yourself with a team with the same vision as you. I sincerely believe in solar and that keeping our planet clean is essential. You truly have to walk the talk. 

Today, Kit Carson Electric offers 100% daytime solar energy and broadband internet service.  Every member of KCEC can get renewable energy regardless of their background, demographic, or economic status. When it comes to broadband, anyone who wants it gets a gigabit broadband connection service. We've made it available to everybody. We have accomplished the ultimate goal of making sure the less fortunate in our communities get the same benefit that anyone gets. And that's what I am most proud of.  

The key to our success is simple: I keep our members engaged and involved. They helped out. I wasn't doing all the work.  

The great value of a membership-organized corporate is that the members, not the profits, are the drivers. With this co-op model, we give our members the voice that they are looking for.  

I am a big advocate for promoting Hispanic leadership, breaking the barriers for Latinos, and giving other locals opportunities that I had so we continue to make a positive difference in people's lives. 

I want to leave Taos a better place than when I found it, and I will keep doing what I can to give back to the community that has given me so much growing up.