Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) has begun work on the safety planning, environmental assessments, and preliminary design for a groundbreaking hydrogen infrastructure project in Questa, aiming to break ground by December 1, 2025.

The announcement comes on the heels of a formal presentation Tuesday before the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee by KCEC CEO Luis A. Reyes Jr., Village of Questa Mayor John Ortega, and Dr. Pei Xu, a professor at New Mexico State University.

The trio outlined the scope and promise of the KCEC Green Hydrogen Project, an initiative they said will boost energy resilience, support rural economic development, and position New Mexico as a leader in clean energy technologies.

“This is not just about clean fuel,” Mayor John Ortega said. “It’s about creating sustainable jobs, advancing rural innovation, and strengthening local infrastructure in ways that benefit our communities for decades to come.”
The project is designed to leverage renewable resources and local expertise, aligning with state and national priorities in the transition to clean energy. It places northern New Mexico at the forefront of the emerging hydrogen economy.

The KCEC Green Hydrogen Project continues to receive attention as a model for how rural cooperatives and academic partnerships can drive meaningful progress in sustainability, particularly in underserved areas. The infrastructure plan currently underway marks a key milestone toward making the project a reality.

Construction is expected to begin by December 1, pending regulatory approvals and the completion of ongoing design and environmental work.