It costs more and more every month to keep our homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), the average electric bill in Minnesota rose more than 9% in just one year, from $94.45 in October 2025 to $103.04 in October 2026. Heating costs […]
ACT NOW 📈💰 Energy bills are going up—Too many Minnesotans are falling behind. Read More »
In late March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a plan to reorganize the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The proposal would shut down research labs, break the Forest Service into a disjointed state‑by‑state system, and move its headquarters to Utah — far away from Congressional oversight and other science-based agencies it’s supposed to work with.
Only You Can Prevent the U.S. Forest Service Reorganization Dumpster Fire Read More »
Community encouraged to attend MPCA Public Hearing in Morris on April 28 The push to “get big or get out” in farming has left its mark on rural Minnesota. In the last two years alone, 1,300 farms have gone out of business across the state, while large corporate operations have continued to expand. Now, Riverview LLP, one of
“How Big Is Too Big?” Minnesotans Demand Environmental Review of Mega Dairy Read More »
This week, Legislators returned from their spring break, marking the unofficial start to the second half of the session. First and second deadlines—the day by which a bill is supposed to be through its necessary committees—have passed, and attention will start turning to fiscal priorities and omnibus bills. Check out our Legislative Preview for more information! Here’s how CURE’s top
Talking Big, Moving Slow: A Mid‑Session Legislative Check Read More »
CURE and four other environmental organizations sue the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act Across southern Minnesota, people are watching rivers creep closer to homes, roads wash out after heavy rains, and drinking water bills climb while the state agency charged with protecting Minnesotans’ water has declined to take action. That’s
Environmental Groups & Rural Minnesotans Say State Must Protect Water for Everyone Read More »
In the past year, at least a dozen new hyperscale data centers have been proposed in communities across Minnesota. The Minnesota legislature, with the support of the Walz administration, passed a handful of laws last year in an attempt to address concerns about this massive, new-to-Minnesota development. Unfortunately, those laws primarily tackled energy and taxes.
🚨 ACTION ALERT 🚨 Gov Walz & MN Lawmakers: Press Pause on Hyperscale Data Centers Read More »
The anti-voter SAVE Act has passed the U.S. House and is now expected to come up for a vote in the U.S. Senate this week. Now is a critical time to ask U.S. Senators to stand up against voter suppression. What is the SAVE Act? The SAVE Act, also called the SAVE America Act, would require voters to provide additional physical
Tell your senators to oppose the “SAVE Act” and all forms of this anti-voter bill. Read More »
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
2026 Minnesota Legislative Preview Read More »
CURE is pausing our normal order of business on Friday, January 23rd, and we want to share why. ICE’s dangerous operations have surged across Minnesota. Federal agents are inciting fear and violence and putting our families and neighbors at risk. Last year, 32 people died in ICE custody. And on January 7th, ICE agent Jonathan
Day of Truth and Freedom Read More »
Revelations about undisclosed data center project in utility’s territory raises community concerns On December 30, 2025, CURE formally petitioned the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reassess its approval of the sale of ALLETE, the parent company of Minnesota Power, to two private equity investors—the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP/BackRock), a subsidiary of BlackRock, the world’s
CURE petitions for reconsideration of Minnesota Power private equity takeover Read More »
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 American Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, canning local produce, and making kombucha.
