Field Notes

Demanding Accountability from Minnesota Power Over Boswell Coal Ash Spill

Minnesota Power is violating federal coal ash rules! And, now, CURE has joined with Sierra Club and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) in letting the utility know. In July 2024, Minnesota Power’s Boswell coal plant suffered a 5.5 million gallon coal ash water spill, and the company has still not come clean about how bad the damage was, nor put out a plan for cleanup.

Last month, CURE, Sierra Club, and MCEA sent Minnesota Power a letter outlining these violations. After sixty days, if these violations aren’t remedied, we have the right to enforce the law by going to court. Read more and stay tuned for what happens next. 

Welcome Eugene!

Eugene Strowbridge

Eugene Strowbridge joined CURE as our new Policy & Outreach Strategist in April! Eugene brings deep experience in working with the people and the environment in rural Minnesota. They care about fair solutions for climate change and believe in working together, learning from Indigenous wisdom, and community care—values that are important to CURE’s mission.

Welcome Kelsey!

Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson joined CURE as our new Director of Environmental Stewardship at the beginning of August! With 15 years of experience in rural advocacy, environmental education, and public communication, she brings a deep passion for how land use shapes our climate and communities. Her work will focus on Working Lands, environmental education, and rural engagement.

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!