Business, Industry, Energy and Economic Development

Kirtland and western San Juan County have historically been home to small businesses, agricultural enterprise and energy sector ventures.

The iconic San Juan Generating Station was a fixture on the horizon for several decades and provided careers, jobs, tax base and electrical power for our community and distant others.
Additionally, our area has been home to mining, gas extraction and processing and the distribution of those resources. Adjunct and supportive businesses have played a robust and important role in our local economy.

The retirement of aging power generation, the obsolescence of older technologies, and the modern innovation in the energy sector has led our community to encourage the development of more efficient, safe and environmentally friendly energy sources. With existing infrastructure, distribution systems and a workforce familiar with power generation, the Kirtland community is prime for new energy sector development.

The Kirtland area is home to cutting-edge solar development and battery storage in different phases of planning, development and construction. Awareness of the need to develop and bring on-line new power sources necessary to replace power lost through the retirement of our older plants is sparking the interest of energy developers and service providers to develop new projects.

Kirtland and the Lower Valley communities are pleased to welcome new energy ventures to our area. Technologies in sustainable sources as well as clean power plants fueled by natural gas coupled with advances in carbon sequestration technologies and hydrogen fuel are just some of the energy sources that may bridge our transition from coal to a clean energy future. We welcome science-backed energy innovation in western San Juan County.

Reliable, safe and clean power sources are key to the economic well-being locally and broader. Kirtland supports and encourages growth, development, stewardship and wise deployment of resources.