The Green Hydrogen project has been a long-term project for Questa. Councilman Jason Gonzalez voiced his concerns about the project at the Village Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9 saying people don’t have enough access to information about the Green Hydrogen Project estimated to break ground in Questa in 2026.

“I don’t think that Kit Carson Electric has done an adequate job in keeping the residents informed of the happenings with this project,” Gonzalez told the Questa del Rio News following the council meeting. “People need to be aware what’s happening in Questa, especially when it comes to major developments are happening.”

Gonzalez went on to say he had connected with the Cooperative’s CEO Luis Reyes, who answered many of his questions and concerns, however, he still feels more public information should be available to residents about this development.
In our October 2024 issue, we sat down with Luis Reyes about the project and asked questions about the motives behind the Green Hydrogen Project.

Through this sit down conversation, we learned that in 2023, the U.S. Dept. of Energy released its Intermediate Feasibility Study to determine if the Green Hydrogen Production was a good fit for Questa.

Reyes emphasized this would create an electrical hub in Questa, and be beneficial during times of emergencies, ensuring residents have consistent access to electricity should the power from Kit Carson Electrical Cooperative in Taos be compromised.

In this interview, Reyes said he felt so passionate about the Green Hydrogen Project. Reyes pointed at climate change and how this development will improve Taos County’s resilience against the ever-changing weather threats. “We’re living in a different time and climate change will continue to cause catastrophic weather patterns, more frequently. Questa gets their power from Taos and having a green hydrogen hub in Questa would ensure the homes could have power through large snowstorms and windstorms,” he says. “It’s simply adapting our infrastructure to ensure it’s able to sustain where we’re at right now in our world.”

In addition to the major improvements in the infrastructure of the electrical grid, the project is going to bring good paying jobs to the area. “The Questa Mine’s closure was a big shock to everyone. It left people without jobs or needing to relocate to find the same type of jobs. This project is going to help people have good jobs in their community while living and thriving in Questa,” Reyes said.

Soon after Gonzalez’s assertions at the Village of Questa Council Meeting, we caught up with Reyes to get his response to Gonzalez’ claims of lack of transparency and community engagement on this project. Reyes says the project is tracking along as it’s supposed to. “I am doing my best to be transparent because it’s my responsibility to the people in northern Taos County,” said Reyes. “I am one of the most accessible CEO’s in Taos County and often allow people to reach me on my cell phone so I am able to address their concerns,” Reyes said.

The official kickoff for the project was June 17 of this year. Local leaders from across the region joined together to hear about the project, timeline, and expected timeline for activity to ramp up in the region.

“We are going to have public stakeholder meetings in the coming months, but it’s important remember this is a $200 million project and we’re moving it along as swiftly as we can,” Reyes said.

Reyes underscored his commitment and dedication as a native son of northern New Mexico. “I want to see our communities in northern New Mexico thrive and survive. This isn’t just a way to get better paying jobs in the region. This development means affordable housing, improved and resourced schools and it means our kids who have left Questa for opportunities have the chance to return home. This isn’t just a green hydrogen project; it’s a project that is going to revitalize and help a community grow and sustain for future generations.”

Join the conversation
Kit Carson Electrical Cooperative is hosting a Coffee with KCEC.
8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 3
Rael’s Coffee Shop
Tune into the Questa del Rio News Facebook to watch live.