By Luis Reyes, CEO, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative
I grew up here.
Like many of you, Northern New Mexico is home. I have walked these roads, spent time along our rivers, and raised my family under the same skies generations before us knew. This land is not just where we live. It is who we are.
Because of that, every decision we make about the future carries real responsibility.
At Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, we believe energy is about more than power. It is about people. It is about stewardship. It is about honoring the land, protecting our water, and caring for one another.
Today, we are looking at a new opportunity. One that is bonded by the heritage of this land and shaped by the values of the people who call it home.
The Questa Hydrogen Project is not about changing who we are. It is about building on who we have always been. A community that looks out for each other. A community grounded in common sense. A community that understands that progress only matters if it improves the quality of life.
We know what matters here.
We know that land is not just property. It is history and culture.
We know that water is not just a resource. It is life.
And we know that any path forward must respect both.
That is why any energy project we explore must be approached with care, transparency, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
It also means being honest about the economic reality our communities face.
Rural Northern New Mexico has been searching for a sustainable, long-term economic opportunity that allows families to stay, work, and build a future here. Too often, our young people feel they have to leave to find good-paying work. Too often, our communities are left without the resources needed to invest in infrastructure, public safety, and local services.
This project represents a chance to change that.
Independent analysis shows the potential to create more than 200 construction jobs and dozens of long-term, good-paying careers tied to operations and energy production. Over the first five years alone, the project could generate nearly $300 million in regional economic impact, with more than $200 million directly benefiting the Questa area. It also has the potential to generate approximately $44 million in tax revenue, including around $26 million that would stay local to support schools, roads, emergency services, and community needs.
These are not abstract numbers. They represent real paychecks, real opportunities, and real investments in the future of our communities.
At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the realities we face today.
Wildfire risk is increasing across our region. Strengthening our local energy system is one practical way to respond. By investing in local energy generation and storage, we can reduce dependence on long transmission lines and improve reliability during extreme weather and emergency situations. That is common sense. That is about safety.
But economic opportunity and infrastructure are only part of the picture.
True progress is about people.
It is about whether families can stay in the communities they love.
It is about whether we create opportunities for the next generation.
It is about whether we improve the quality of life in ways that are felt every day.
And just as important, it is about how we treat each other along the way.
We can have different opinions. We can ask hard questions. We can disagree. But we must do it with respect, with patience, and with human kindness. That is who we are.
This should not happen to our communities. It should be shaped by them.
We are listening. We are engaging. And we are committed to making sure that any decision reflects the values we all share.
If we move forward, it will be because it makes sense for our land, for our water, and for our people. It will be because it strengthens our quality of life, improves safety, and creates real economic opportunity.
This is about stewardship. It is about responsibility. And it is about honoring both our heritage and our future.
Because this is our home.
And we will take care of it together.
