We’re in the second year of the 2025-2026 Biennium, and while there’s a lot of public momentum for decisive action on many issues, what the legislature ultimately achieves remains to be seen. CURE remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for rural communities and their vital interests at the state legislature.
Here are CURE’s top policy priorities for the 2026 Session:
Demanding Responsible Data Center Development
The 2025 session was the year hyperscale data centers burst onto the scene. Several bills were introduced that attempted to get a handle on the potential impacts of data center development on Minnesota’s communities and resources. Ultimately, the legislature passed several laws concerning data centers, almost exclusively focused on energy and taxes. Read our overview of 2025 Data Center laws here.
There is a lot of work still to be done to ensure the state’s resources and communities are adequately protected from proposed hyperscale data center development. CURE has been working with several other Minnesota organizations to create a list of policy priorities to bring forward this year, including:
- Creating a temporary moratorium on all hyperscale data center development
- Establishing a data center-specific permit
- Requiring all hyperscale data centers to undergo an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Minnesota’s most robust form of environmental review.
- Creating an independent water appropriation permit and enforceable water use and efficiency requirements
- Limiting the use of NDAs to increase transparency
- Eliminating the existing sales tax exemption for qualified large-scale data centers.
CURE maintains that the people of Minnesota must be driving the conversations about whether and how hyperscale data centers operate in our state. The decision cannot be left solely to the developers and end users that stand to benefit from the land, water, broadband, and energy our state can provide.
Have more questions about data centers? Check out our webinar series!
Promoting Better Pipeline Planning
Currently, companies seeking to build major fossil fuel infrastructure are allowed to submit supply forecasts based on oil shippers’ desire to move crude oil as justification for project approval. These supply-driven applications are evaluated without clear requirements to show that consumers will actually need the petroleum products the infrastructure is meant to deliver. This prioritizes speculative industry expansion over real-world demand.
To fill this gap, CURE and key partners propose a Consumer Demand Forecast bill that would direct the Public Utilities Commission to consider a forecast of demand from ultimate consumers—residential, commercial, and industrial users in Minnesota and neighboring states.
CURE is also supportive of the Landowner Choice bill (H.F. 1073/S.F. 733), which would establish a right for Minnesota landowners to have a decommissioned pipeline removed from their property and their land restored at the pipeline company’s expense.
Defending Bedrock Laws
100% Carbon-Free:
In 2023, Minnesota passed the “100% Law,” which requires all electric 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. Implementing this policy, despite its clarity, has proven challenging. In January, the Public Utilities Commission determined that, despite emitting carbon dioxide in the generation of electricity, burning trash and biomass can count as “carbon-free.” Still, CURE will continue to advocate for the rapid shift towards carbon-free electricity generation that ensures communities hosting that infrastructure benefit.
Net Metering:
Since 1983, Minnesotans with solar arrays under 40 kilowatts on their homes, small businesses, and farms have been able to be credited by their electric utility on their electricity bills at the retail rate for the solar power their array generates and delivers to the grid. While the system isn’t perfect, the benefits of this system far outweigh any drawbacks. We remain opposed to approaches to eliminate or weaken our existing net metering law. However, CURE believes there may be value in commissioning a study that could, among other things, identify specific concerns with the existing program, collect necessary information about those issues, and analyze potential solutions.
Environmental review:
In the last year, we’ve seen significant efforts by the federal government to weaken or completely eliminate our existing environmental laws. We expect that trend to continue for the foreseeable future, which means it’s up to the state to protect our air, water, land, and communities from corporate polluters. We must continue to protect our bedrock environmental laws, the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act and the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act, to ensure that all Minnesotans can continue to enjoy our state’s beautiful natural and cultural resources.
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 that would create a system for statewide organics diversion, reduce single-use plastic products, establish a system for recycling electronic waste and batteries, and improve Minnesota’s landfill standards. 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.
The 2026 Legislative Session starts on February 17. Stay up to date with the latest information about these and other issues by following CURE on social media and subscribing to our emails.
By Sarah Mooradian, Government Relations & Policy Director
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