Support Santa Fe County’s Sustainable Energy Utility Feasibility Study

On Monday, November 10 at 2:00 PM, the Santa Fe County Commission will consider a resolution directing staff to evaluate the feasibility of a publicly owned, sustainable energy utility including microgrids and locally generated clean energy that can lower costs, improve resilience, and advance climate goals. Email the Commissioners now to urge a strong YES and a fast, inclusive study timeline.

The resolution directs the County Manager to study the feasibility of creating a publicly owned electric utility, including benefits, costs, and scale options, and to procure an experienced vendor to complete the evaluation within 365 days. This is a prudent, low-risk step that lets the County compare pathways to lower bills, stronger resilience, and local control.

They are unlikely to hear public comments at the meeting on Monday, since this is a resolution, so spreading the word and getting as many emails sent to our commissioners in support is the most important thing you can do to help us achieve this.

Please be sure to customize your email to have the most impact.

Evidence you can cite in your email:

  • Public power saves money. National data show public-power utilities have lower average residential bills and rates than investor-owned utilities, with customers paying ~13% less on average (frequently more!); public power also has shorter outage times (American Public Power Association).
  • Renewables are now the low-cost energy leaders. The U.S. EIA’s 2025 outlook and LCOE analysis show utility-scale solar and wind are among the lowest-cost new generation in many regions. Global analyses find ~90% of new renewables beat fossil fuel costs in 2024 (U.S. Energy Information Administration).
  • Microgrids boost resilience. DOE explains that microgrids can island from the main grid and keep critical services powered during outages, mitigating social and economic harms (U.S. Department of Energy).

Community-owned utilities are already accelerating an equitable, community-led energy transition:

  • Northern New Mexico leadership: Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC). KCEC, a member-owned distribution cooperative serving Taos, Colfax and Rio Arriba counties, has achieved 100 % daytime solar power for its service area, reduced wholesale power costs by ~30 %, realized member rate savings of up to 25 % and is now developing green hydrogen plus long-duration storage (Utility Dive).
    • In 2022 KCEC paid off a $37 million exit fee to leave its previous wholesale provider and is projected to save $150-170 million over the lifetime of its new contract (KCEC 2022 Annual Report).
    • KCEC’s community-owned model shows how local control of generation + storage yields lower costs, stronger resilience, and accelerated clean energy leadership — a blueprint for what Santa Fe County can explore.
    • KCEC’s community-owned model shows how local control of generation + storage yields lower costs, stronger resilience, and accelerated clean energy leadership — a blueprint for what Santa Fe County can explore.
  • Ann Arbor, MI authorized an opt-in Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) providing 100% local renewable power with storage; it’s designed to supplement the incumbent grid and improve reliability (City of Ann Arbor).

  • Cuyahoga County, OH launched the country’s first county-run microgrid utility, with projects moving into engineering and construction phases (Cuyahoga County Government).
  • Burlington, VT reached 100% renewable electricity and continues advancing deeper decarbonization through its public utility (Burlington Electric Department).

Santa Fe County is ready. The county already has existing solar assets, a remarkable microgrid partnership at SFCC, utility operations experience, and it will direct a competitive, local-expertise-aware procurement for the feasibility study—so we get answers tailored to New Mexico’s unique context.

With the rising cost of living, local solar + storage and public ownership can help lower bills for residents on fixed incomes, improve air quality, and keep energy dollars circulating locally. Let's do this!