KIT CARSON ELECTRIC CO-OP CURBING PLANS TO OPERATE GAS STATION.(News)

Byline: SHAWNA R. WILLIAMS

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative will not pursue plans to open a cooperative gas station. The formal announcement was made at the co-op's annual meeting, June 16.

Luis Reyes, CEO of the cooperative, said some due diligence research had been conducted into the plausibility of opening a cooperative-run gas station but found at the present moment it could not give the time and focus to the project.

The idea surfaced after a 1999 survey that asked members what sort of areas they would like to see Kit Carson diversify into. The feedback on that survey resulted in the cooperative opening a propane division, Kit Carson Telecom Internet service, and involvement with economic development. Members also suggested a gas station and Kit Carson began looking into the feasibility of such a venture.

With other energy issues dominating their time, Reyes said the co-op's plate was too full to take on any other projects. "Maybe in the future, but not right now," said Reyes.

The cooperative is currently focusing on renewable energy, predominantly solar power.

"The problem with gasoline is that is so volatile," continued Reyes. "It would require a lot more study and time than we can give it."

Kit Carson had looked into a number of different models for running a cooperative gas station. It studied the region for price variances, competition, and how their efforts would impact other local service stations. It also tried to forecast what other entities might come into the region to help bring fuel prices down.

With the talk of a bio-fuel plant at the town of Taos dump as well as both Picuris and Taos Pueblo discussing opening their own gas stations, Kit Carson officials felt there was no need for them to pursue this project. "Do we really need to fill a niche that someone else will fill? We decided to step back and focus on our core businesses," said Reyes.

Concerning ways to reduce its own use of fossil fuels, Reyes said the Kit Carson fleet is fully prepared to start using bio-fuel if it became available in Taos County. Kit Carson is also looking at powering its vehicles with propane, which, while still a fossil fuel, runs cleaner than petroleum without the loss of performance power.