The first gas and electric franchises were established. A local Albuquerque civic leader and businessman A.A. Grant established the Albuquerque Gas Company and secured land to build a plant near the railroad's coal unloading and storage yard. The plant manufactured producer gas--made from nitrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and coal or coke--for distribution to local businesses and residences.
Businessman and landowner Perfecto Armijo established the Albuquerque Electric Light Company and immediately sold his interest in the company to A.A. Grant and Dennis Dennison. The company built a new power plant with a 250-kilowatt generator and reorganized in 1886 appointing A.A. Grant as president.
