Event Recap: Clean Economy Solutions in Action: Rural Renewable Energy and Broadband through Cooperatives

In Rural, Northern New Mexico, Electrical Cooperative Members Live in a Clean Energy Future

On Thursday, community members across the nation joined HECHO, Luis Reyes, CEO of Kit Carson Electrical Cooperative, and Christopher Miller, President of Guzman Energy to hear the story of how Kit Carson Electric has transitioned to 100% daytime solar energy.  

Electric cooperatives have the potential to be a major force in the clean economy as they can provide a path for rural communities to thrive as they transition away from fossil fuels, and provide affordable energy to families. Additionally, one recent study found that “electric cooperatives supported nearly 612,000 American jobs and contributed $440 billion in U.S. gross domestic product from 2013 to 2017.”  

“Cooperatives are key to facilitating the use of renewable energy in rural communities,” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director of HECHO, “Because they already serve over 42 million people, they can play a major role in transforming our communities to better suit our needs in a way that is both responsible and reliable. Co-op participation in clean economy solutions will have significant benefits, including expanding job creation, business opportunities, and economic development,” said Simon. 

In Northern New Mexico, Luis Reyes with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative sees electric cooperatives as an economic and environmental driving force. The Kit Carson Electric Cooperative is the second largest cooperative in New Mexico, and provides electricity to over 29,000 members. In 2010, these members voted in favor of clean energy options, propelling the cooperative to exit their contract with their fossil fuel-based energy supplier. Kit Carson Electric Cooperative is set to meet their ambitious goal to provide their Northern New Mexican members to 100% daytime solar energy by this December, a year ahead of schedule. 

“Paramount to the cooperative program is to reflect the values that our members have, and to implement their asks,” said Luis Reyes, CEO of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative. “As a member driven program that is modeled to reflect democratic process, we have to satisfy the members of our co-op, who are really the owners. In New Mexico, the outdoors is our economy. The magic of the Taos Mountain draws people internationally and nationally. We need to do everything we can to leave our earth better than we found it. And if Kit Carson, a small, rural cooperative was able to make solar and broadband a reality for our members, the scale that this model could reach would help to build the clean energy future we all seek,” Reyes said. 

Guzman Energy provided a supportive and unique partnership as a wholesale energy provider that understood what the broader mission was that Kit Carson Electric Cooperative wanted to accomplish – a more sustainable, localized, energy economy that could drive success to rural New Mexican communities. This visionary collaboration has been to the benefit of the members Kit Carson serves. 

 "Electric cooperatives and their power provider partners have a unique and valuable opportunity to work together on a collective path to help strengthen and grow communities. When you care about the same things, you can help communities meet their goals to be more economically competitive, clean energy-driven and assured that they have the broadband they need to be working in a 21st century economy," said Christopher Miller, President of Guzman Energy.  

Catch up on the conversation by watching the recording here, and learn more about what electrical cooperatives can achieve by clicking here to read our joint blog with the National Wildlife Federation on How Rural Electric Cooperatives Power Local Climate Action. To stay up to date with future Clean Economy Solutions in Action events, make sure to subscribe to HECHO’s newsletter.  

NOTE: This event stems from “Centering Communities of Color in the Clean Economy,” a roundtable with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander experts hosted by HECHO and the National Wildlife Federation. The roundtable focused on racial justice, business ownership, and economic inclusion in the clean economy. The roundtable gathered 22 leaders representing national and community-based organizations to discuss priorities and recommendations that ensure communities of color understand, access, and economically benefit from federal investments in infrastructure and clean energy.