Kit Carson Electric Cooperative get grant for fire mitigation work
Oct. 30—Kit Carson Electric Cooperative received $125,000 for forest fire prevention work in northern New Mexico, which was decimated by wild fires in the summer of 2022.
The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is providing the funding, which will fund the work in three specific areas within the electric cooperative's distribution and transmission system.
The goal of the funding is to mitigate forest fire danger and manage vegetation to reduce the interruption of electric and internet services.
A 60-mile area was identified for maintenance and tree trimming in the Upper Red River Valley and Taos Canyon areas and along New Mexico Highway 518.
" Forest fire mitigation and maintenance is the co-op's top priority. Although we continue to be a national leader in the renewable field, our focus is the protection and safety of our communities," KCEC CEO Luis Reyes, said in a news release "The majority of KCEC's system is in forested areas and we work year-round to provide safe, reliable and affordable services."
KCEC is one of 16 electric cooperative's in the state. The company has nearly 30,000 members in North Central New Mexico. It has two tree-trimming crews in its service territory.
