Be in the Know: Data Centers Webinar Series Hyperscale data centers are a major concern for Minnesotans. CURE’s Data Center webinar series will help you get up to speed on key issues, including Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs), energy, water, environmental review, community benefit agreements, and more, so you can speak up for yourself and your neighbors. […]
In the Know 🏢 + What Now? ⚡+ What can you do? 🤍 + It’s a Wrap Read More »
As temperatures drop, many vulnerable Minnesotans face rising heating bills. Meanwhile, a major source of assistance, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), was halted by the federal government shutdown. CURE took decisive action to call on the Walz administration to act—building an alliance of organizations and asking you to use your voice too! Now, the administration is listening. And CURE
Keep Minnesota Families Safe & Warm Read More »
Defending the carbon-free standard at the Public Utilities Commission and in the Legislature For the second year in a row, CURE has worked in coalition with environmental justice, environmental advocacy, climate activist, health professional, faith based, and zero waste organizations to defend Minnesota’s 100% Carbon Free Energy Law passed in law in 2023. We’ve created
CURE Work + Wins 2025 Read More »
On October 3rd, the MN Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the sale of ALLETE/Minnesota Power to private equity interests. This decision went against the recommendation of an Administrative Law Judge, the PUC’s own staff analysis, CURE testimony, and pleas of Minnesota residents. CURE is thankful to everyone who shared this story, showed support, and submitted comments to
UPDATE: MN Power Sale to BlackRock Read More »
CURE stands with clergy, immigrant leaders, and community allies in strong opposition to the reopening of the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, MN, as an ICE detention center. Reopening this prison—owned by CoreCivic, a private prison corporation with a history of reports of mismanagement, unsafe conditions, and detainee abuse—would violate our deepest humanitarian and spiritual
CURE Statement on the Potential of an ICE Detention Center in Appleton Read More »
Today, the MN Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is hearing parties on the proposed sale of ALLETE/Minnesota Power to private equity interests. The PUC will make its decision on whether to approve or reject this deal next Friday, October 3rd. Your voice still matters. Email the PUC at consumer.puc@state.mn.us and tell them to reject the takeover of MN Power by BlackRock (include
Proposed sale of MN Power to BlackRock Read More »
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
Demanding Accountability from Minnesota Power Over Boswell Coal Ash Spill Read More »
Minnesota PUC must put public interest first by denying private equity greed The final comment period closed for the proposed private equity acquisition of ALLETE, parent company of Minnesota Power. Under the proposed acquisition, ALLETE would no longer be a publicly traded company and would be sold to two private equity investors, the Canadian Pension
Protect Minnesotans and the environment, reject the BlackRock buyout of Minnesota Power Read More »
Re: In the Matter of the Petition of Minnesota Power for the Acquisition of ALLETE by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Global Infrastructure Partners, Docket Nos. E-015/PA-24-198 and E-015/M-24-383 CURE submits these initial comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) regarding the questions posed in the July 18, 2025, Notice of Comment Period on
Why the ALLETE/MN Power Acquisition Settlement Fails the Public Interest Test Read More »
A critical battle for our energy future and the role of private equity in our essential services is playing out in northern Minnesota. And CURE, along with our allies, had a significant victory along the way to a final decision. ALLETE/Minnesota Power is the target of a proposed acquisition by powerful private equity interests, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and the Canadian
Private Equity or Public Power: The proposed sale of ALLETE/Minnesota Power to BlackRock 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 Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!
