FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2026
Kit Carson Electric Cooperative Selected for $50.8 Million SPARK Initiative to Strengthen Reliability and Resilience in Northern New Mexico
Major investment will strengthen critical electric infrastructure from Taos north toward the Colorado border, improve wildfire preparedness and help protect members who depend on reliable electricity for essential and medical needs
TAOS, N.M. — September 28, 2026 — Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) has been selected for a $50.8 million project to strengthen and modernize one of the most important parts of Northern New Mexico’s electric system. The project includes approximately $38.1 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and $12.7 million from KCEC. The investment has a clear purpose: build a stronger, safer and more reliable electric system that is better prepared for wildfires, extreme weather and emergencies.
The project will improve approximately 25.5 miles of KCEC’s main transmission line between Taos and Questa, a critical electric pathway serving communities north of Taos. The improvements will strengthen service to the northern portion of KCEC’s territory, including Taos, Arroyo Hondo, San Cristobal, Questa and surrounding northern communities extending toward the Colorado border.
KCEC’s selection is part of one of the nation’s largest current investments in strengthening and modernizing the electric grid. Through the highly competitive SPARK initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy selected just 31 projects across 26 states, representing $5.25 billion in total grid investment nationwide, including $1.9 billion in federal funding and $3.35 billion in recipient cost-share funding. New Mexico secured three of those project selections, representing approximately $87 million in federal funding and $142.6 million in total investment in the state’s electric grid. KCEC’s project accounts for approximately $38.1 million in federal funding and $50.8 million in total investment, bringing a significant share of this national investment directly to rural Northern New Mexico to strengthen reliability, resilience and wildfire preparedness. KCEC was one of only four small utilities nationwide and one of just three New Mexico utilities selected to receive funding through this highly competitive federal grant program.
“This investment is about protecting our communities and making sure KCEC is prepared for the challenges facing Northern New Mexico,” said Luis A. Reyes Jr., CEO of KCEC. “Wildfires, high winds and extreme weather can put tremendous pressure on our electric system. A stronger grid gives us another layer of protection and helps us provide the reliable electricity our members depend on every day.”
KCEC will replace older power line equipment with newer, higher-capacity technology that can safely carry more electricity. The improvements will use KCEC’s existing transmission route and right-of-way, allowing the cooperative to strengthen the current system rather than construct an entirely new transmission corridor.
The project will also install advanced sensors and monitoring technology that will give KCEC operators better information about conditions along the transmission line. The technology will monitor factors such as wind, temperature and the condition of the power line, helping operators understand what is happening on the system as conditions change. That information becomes especially valuable during wildfire season and severe weather. The project is designed to improve KCEC’s ability to monitor the transmission system during fire-weather conditions, giving operators additional information to make informed decisions that protect the system and the communities it serves.
For KCEC, reliability and resilience are about people.
Reliable electricity is important to every member, but an extended outage can be particularly difficult for seniors, people with disabilities and families caring for someone who relies on electricity for essential medical needs. Members may depend on electricity for oxygen equipment, mobility devices, refrigerated medications and other medical equipment.
“For some of our members, reliable electricity is more than convenience—it supports their health, safety and independence,” Reyes said. “That is why resilience matters. We have a responsibility to prepare before an emergency happens and continue strengthening the system our communities depend on.”
The project will also make KCEC’s existing transmission system more efficient. KCEC’s technical analysis estimates the improvements could reduce electricity losses along the corridor during peak conditions, while substantially increasing the amount of electricity the line can safely carry.
KCEC was selected through DOE’s Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) initiative. KCEC’s project was selected specifically under Topic Area 1: Grid Resilience, which focuses on strengthening existing electric infrastructure and improving the ability of the grid to withstand challenging conditions.
The project also demonstrates how rural electric cooperatives can modernize existing infrastructure without having to build entirely new transmission corridors. KCEC’s project combines stronger power lines with advanced monitoring technology designed for the mountainous terrain and geographically spread-out communities of Northern New Mexico.
The $50.8 million investment builds on KCEC’s continued work in long duration energy, wildfire mitigation, vegetation management, system inspections, advanced monitoring and grid modernization. Together, these efforts are focused on reducing risk, strengthening critical infrastructure and improving reliability for the people and communities KCEC serves.
From Taos through Arroyo Hondo, San Cristobal and Questa to communities near the Colorado border, the project represents a major investment in the long-term strength of Northern New Mexico’s electric system.
“Our members count on us every hour of every day,” Reyes said. “This project allows us to strengthen a critical part of our system, improve our wildfire preparedness and build greater resilience for the future. When an emergency happens, reliability is more than keeping the lights on—it is about keeping our communities safe, connected and protected.”
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About Kit Carson Electric Cooperative
Formed in 1944, Kit Carson is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative in northern New Mexico and is the second largest cooperative in the state. Kit Carson is one of 16 electric cooperatives that serve rural New Mexico communities, serving nearly 30,000 members in Taos, Colfax and Rio Arriba counties. To learn more about Kit Carson, visit www.kitcarson.com.
