Dear Mr. Know-It-All:
Do you know how long they are going to be working on installing the gas line going in on Hwy 170 and CR 1191? And will the public be able to hook up to it? You truly are the person to ask.
Signed,
Marilyn M.
Dear Marilyn,
Thank you for the question and for putting your faith in me to find the answer!
You have impeccable timing because as soon as I reached out to the New Mexico Gas Company, their Johnny-on-the-spot Communications Manager, Tim Korte, says construction of the 6-inch gas line was recently completed and natural gas is now flowing.
The company admits there were delays with the project initially. A story from the Tri-City Record published on Sept. 25, 2025, details the new 13-mile natural gas pipeline to be built along County Road 1191. Construction was originally planned to start last Fall and continue through December. The new pipeline was also extended along County Roads 1130 and 1300 as well as part of NM 170. If you’re not familiar with this area, it’s near the San Juan County Industrial Park, the site of the old La Plata Mine, near the New Mexico-Colorado state line.
Korte had previously said that having gas service at the industrial park will help attract businesses to the area. The previous story reported the property has been owned by San Juan County for nearly 20-years. It includes 190 acres and a 42,000 square foot building along with other structures.
San Juan County purchased the property from the Bureau of Land Management and the former mining company BHP Billiton in 2007, according to the San Juan County website.
Korte says the company is still working in the area on general cleanup and restoration of the pipeline right of way. He says that work should be completed next month. For residents and businesses, the addition of natural gas service means a new energy option for heating and cooking. The days of refilling propane tanks may be over! Many websites comparing the costs of natural gas and propane say gas turns out to be a less expensive energy option when there’s a gas line to your property.
With that being said, property owners still must pay to run a gas line to their home or business from the new pipeline. A check of the New Mexico Gas Company website (www.nmgco.com) shows they have programs to help customers convert to natural gas. In fact, the website says a rule revision by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission makes it easier and more affordable for customers to switch. Of course, the proof is in performance, and Tim Korte says residents and businesses along this brand new pipeline who are interested in connecting to natural gas service should reach out using this email address: businessdev@nmgco.com.
Happy Heating!
Mr. Know-It-All is Scott Michlin, the general manager of KSJE 90.9FM community-supported radio at San Juan College. When he’s not answering questions here or on the radio, you might find him teaching public speaking or mass media classes at San Juan College, or serving on the board of directors for San Juan United Way, Presbyterian Medical Services, or the San Juan Symphony. If you have a question about something in San Juan County, drop him a line at SMichlin@tricityrecordnm.com. If he doesn’t know the answer, he knows someone who does, and you’ll read about it here in the pages of the Tri-City Record!