Moving Towards 100% Renewable Energy: Drivers Behind City Policies and Pledges
This report surveys 56 cities – including Taos and vicinity, New Mexico — that have made the community-wide commitment to 100% renewable energy. It analyzes the primary motivations for these pledges, including but not limited to: financial and economic opportunity; public health; environmental preservation; climate goals and action plans; and lack of federal action. The report examines the structure of these commitments, tools used for implementation, political challenges, and the importance of collective efforts in meeting environmental goals. The report highlights Renewable Taos’ Joint Resolution on Renewable Energy. Hayley Martinez, Kelsie DeFrancia, and Alix Schroder of The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY prepared the report for presentation to the 76th Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference, April 5-8, 2018, Chicago, IL (April 2018).
Electric Vehicles and Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc., Taos, New Mexico
This brief report examines the status and project growth of the electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) markets. The report considers what EV and PHEV growth means for Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc., and offers steps for KCEC to take to promote EV and PHEV adoption (June 2017).
A New Mexico Electricity Co-op Declares Its Independence
This Opinion article in the High Country News (May 9, 2017) describes how Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc. (KCEC) ended its long-term wholesale electricity contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (TSG&T). Renewable Taos Co-Founder Bob Bresnahan wrote the article to explain the reasons why KCEC left TSG&T and contracted with its new wholesaler, Guzman Renewable Energy Partners to set a course for developing major new sources of renewable energy (May 2017) .
2015 GHG Emissions Inventory for The City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County
The City of Santa Fe seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 in a way that not only reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also significantly alleviates poverty, supports a thriving economy, and ensures a sustainable environment. To reach these goals, the Sustainable Santa Fe Commission (SSFC) is developing a comprehensive 25 Year Sustainability Plan. The Climate Working Group, on behalf of the SSFC, developed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for Santa Fe and nearby communities, in accordance with the standards of measurement adopted by the Compact of Mayors. The Compact of Mayors is a global coalition of cities committed to addressing climate change, which the City of Santa Fe joined in 2015. Renewable Taos, Inc. contributed to this inventory (March 2017).
Santa Fe GHG Emissions Workbook
This spreadsheet accompanies the 2015 GHG Emissions Inventory for The City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County, and provides detailed data for the inventory including demographics, electricity, heating, on-road transport, rail, solid waste, wastewater, livestock, and household food, services and goods (March 2017).
Renewable Energy for Taos and Vicinity, New Mexico
This is a White Paper produced for the Rocky Mountain Institute eLab Accelerator Program in which Renewable Taos participated in 2015. The document discusses the 2015-2016 work of RT necessary for a comprehensive overview of the costs, policies, legal and regulatory issues, and technologies necessary for a full transition to renewable energy services for north-central New Mexico (updated November 2016).
Population and Energy Profile & Costs KCEC Service Area
Renewable Taos report on current demands and costs for most forms of energy uses in the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) Service Area, NM (updated September 2020).
Renewable Taos Inc. Regional Market Letter
Renewable Taos, Inc. began sending this letter in late 2016 to a New Mexico statewide list of federal, state and local political representatives, federal and state agencies, businesses, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other selected parties. (September 2016).
Electricity Transmission and Distribution Geography, Taos and Vicinity, New Mexico
This brief report describes the geography of our local and regional electrical transmission and distribution systems for Taos and vicinity, New Mexico. These descriptions are based on a statewide map of New Mexico transmission lines and electrical stations, a map of the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) Service Area electricity distribution system, detailed examinations of Google Earth images, and field observations by Renewable Taos members (December 2015).
Update of Modeling for KCEC Short-Term Transition Planning
Discussion paper, update of modeling for Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) short-term transition planning. With new KCEC demand data for 2014 (July 2015).
Electricity Storage for Renewable Energy in the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) Service Area: Some Preliminary Thoughts by Renewable Taos
This paper is a very general approach to the possibility of using electrical storage as a means of reducing peak demand charges in the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) service area. The basic concept remains valid: storage may be able make money by reducing peak demand charges, while allowing more renewable electricity on KCEC’s grid (July 2015).
Modeling Renewable Electricity for KCEC Service Area
Renewable energy modeling for Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) short-term transition planning (February 2015).
Greenhouse Gases Emissions Profile and Forecast: Taos & Vicinity, New Mexico 2009-2030
This report conveys the results of an energy use and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions inventory for the base year of 2009. This work is the foundation for the Town of Taos, its neighboring communities, and Taos County to understand the quantities and nature of GHG emissions attributable to energy use and other activities. The report also sets forth recommendations for setting realistic, economical GHGs reduction targets and creating a plan for achieving those targets (April 2011).