Kit Carson Electric to maintain service for federal workers impacted by government shutdown

TAOS — Northern New Mexico’s largest electric cooperative announced on Monday it will help members impacted by federal job furloughs this month keep their lights on as a government shutdown in Washington grinds into its second week.

“It really goes to being kind of a good neighbor with federal employees who, by no fault of their own, are being furloughed,” Kit Carson Electric Cooperative CEO Luis Reyes Jr. said. “And I think the difference in this one is there’s even talks about layoffs of good employees.”

The bill relief program has been made possible through a partnership between KCEC, which provides electricity, propane and internet services to nearly 30,000 people across Taos, Colfax and Rio Arriba counties, and Taos Community Foundation, a 30-year-old nonprofit philanthropy based in Taos.

KCEC said it would maintain electricity services to members who can’t afford to pay their bills due to federal job furloughs resulting from the ongoing government shutdown. Members wishing to seek relief will be required to provide a “furlough letter to prevent the disconnection of electric service,” according to a press release.

Congress remained at a deadlock on Monday as the U.S. Senate rejected another round of Democratic and Republican proposals to fund the government, with solutions by both parties failing to garner the 60 votes required to pass.

While many agencies have relied on carryover funds previously provided by Congress to keep federal workers employed during the shutdown’s first week, the continued stalemate between the two parties risks furloughing thousands of federal workers. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said on Monday that another failed vote could trigger layoffs of federal employees.

Reyes said that could include a number of co-op members employed across federal agencies with offices in north-central New Mexico, such as the Bureau of Land Management, Carson National Forest and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“They get furloughed, but they still have bills to pay,” he said, adding that the co-op has offered similar grace periods during the previous two government shutdowns. “They’re still a part of the community.”

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy slashed $135 million in funding for New Mexico projects. The cuts may include KCEC’s plans to create electricity “microgrids,” which the CEO said would provide an important safeguard against wildfire risk in a region home to some of the most volatile fire sheds in the nation.

While the project appeared to be safe as of Monday, he said the co-op was preparing for how it might respond if funds are threatened. Local legislators also told the Journal last week they were prepared to step in to find state money to continue the project if federal funds are cut.

“We haven’t received an official later saying the project has been canceled,” Reyes said, “but we’re getting ready and reviewing the appeal process of DOE.”