As Minnesota’s political landscape faces uncertainty, CURE remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for rural communities and their vital interests at the state legislature.
Here are the top issues CURE will be working on this year at the legislature:
Defending our Wins:
In 2023, Minnesota passed the “100% Law,” which requires all utilities* to generate or procure 100% of their electricity sales in Minnesota from carbon-free resources by 2040. This law encourages a shift from polluting fossil-fuel-based electricity production to sources of electricity that do not emit carbon dioxide. But implementing policy is as important as passing it—CURE is working at the regulatory level to make sure that only truly carbon-free energy sources, like solar, wind, nuclear, and hydropower, are included in the law. Electricity produced from burning coal, natural gas, oil, and biomass—everything from dead trees and toxic garbage—emits carbon dioxide and should not be allowed to meet this definition.
Moreover, it is important to recognize that all forms of electricity generation have trade-offs, and even renewable energy can bring burdens to a community. What works for one location may not work for another. That’s why it is essential that communities are included in the decision-making process from the start and that their concerns are not only heard but addressed and incorporated. This year, CURE will continue to advocate for the rapid shift towards carbon-free electricity generation that ensures communities hosting that infrastructure benefit.
<< ALL UTILITIES* >>
Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) like Xcel and Minnesota Power,
Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs) like Great River Energy,
Municipal Utilities (Muni’s) like Rochester Public Utilities
Supporting Zero Waste Initiatives:
As a Minnesota Zero Waste Coalition member, CURE supports legislative efforts to address the waste crisis and its effects on rural communities. This includes policies to reduce single-use plastic products, create a system for 100% recycling of electronic waste, prevent and manage food waste, and clean up our landfills. Rural areas often host landfills and trash incinerators, which can harm the health of those living nearby and the environment. Access to quality recycling and composting programs is also limited in rural areas, meaning that even when folks want to be part of the solution, they often can’t.
Protecting Public Lands and Waters:
Public lands and waters are treasured resources, offering everyone the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of the natural world. CURE will support efforts and policies to ensure these places remain sustainably managed and protected, including mitigating the impacts of off-highway vehicles (OHV) and new OHV trails, increasing funding for our Scientific and Natural Areas, and protecting and improving water quality throughout the state. We await the legislative auditor’s investigation of the Department of Natural Resources’ mismanagement of federal funding for wildlife areas, which was improperly used to promote logging of protected habitat over the objection of DNR wildlife managers.
In addition to the policies above, CURE continues to track emerging issues, including:
Data centers.
The demand for data centers is growing due to artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and data processing. At least 10 new data centers are being proposed for Minnesota, including a Meta-owned facility in Rosemount and an Amazon-owned facility in Becker. Data centers are known for their high electricity and water demands, among other environmental and social impacts. However, there has been little discussion about how those demands would impact Minnesota’s natural resources, communities, and 100% carbon-free energy goals. CURE will advocate for the state to slow down and take the time to develop meaningful parameters under which data centers can operate and where they might be placed.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Some see Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as the key to help reduce emissions in the aviation sector, but its environmental benefits are still uncertain. CURE is especially concerned that SAF production might allow for the continuation or expansion of unsustainable and polluting practices historically seen in the production of biofuels and the clearcutting of forests in the name of “sustainable” fuel for faraway buyers.
By Sarah Mooradian, Government Relations & Policy Director
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