Innovations in energy technologies, combined with the urgency of climate change, have established the coming decade as critical in the energy transition to cleaner, more resilient energy systems. Recent policy changes and legislation at the state and national levels provide a watershed moment to accelerate the transition to an improved energy future.  Energy business models and policies designed for the old energy system of the past need to be replaced with innovative ones that will improve our environment, make our grids more resilient and lower costs for all consumers in the future. 

Ark Valley Energy Future (AVEF) advocates for powering our region with more local, renewable energy to achieve an economically and environmentally sustainable energy future. We encourage Sangre de Cristo Electric Association to pivot towards local energy generation and storage to become more energy independent and resilient. We believe this energy transition will lower costs for members, diversify job growth, boost our local economies and protect our environment for future generations.

AVEF retained an independent consultant, Kim Smoyer of Smoyer & Associates, to facilitate an engagement process that included a community survey in November 2022 and three community engagement meetings in Howard, Poncha Springs and Buena Vista on January 7, 10 and 12, 2023, respectively.

The meetings were well attended by energetic participants who shared concerns, priorities and hopes for their electric cooperative. A wealth of ideas related to SDCEA, AVEF and the rapidly evolving energy landscape were discussed. Please read all the details in the Community Engagement Summary Report.

Thank you for your interest in the energy future of our valley and for your time to participate in the survey and the community engagement meetings.