CURE would like to express our appreciation of Keeli Siyaka as she heads out to vital environmental and land conservation work this summer. Keeli was a Spring 2024 legal intern with CURE, where she helped us look into state agency policies and how different agencies make plans to engage with key rural constituencies. Keeli’s journey […]
Keeli Siyaka // Spring 2024 CURE Legal Intern Read More »
As we gear up for comments on whether or not burning biomass is “carbon free” at the Public Utilities Commission (news flash: it’s not), it’s important to lay out how CURE has mindfully started working at the nexus of climate and public lands. We know that properly managing natural and working lands is key to
During the 2024 Legislative Session, CURE was a voice for rural Minnesota, advocating for a clean energy future while striving to protect and preserve the Minnesota landscapes and communities we love. This was sometimes a lonely position to hold. No other organization does what CURE does in rural Minnesota. But being a progressive rural advocate
A Voice for Rural Minnesota: CURE’s 2024 Legislative Wrap-up Read More »
Montevideo, MN, May 14, 2024 — On May 13th, 2024, CURE, The Sierra Club, and Dakota Resource Council (DRC) submitted a joint comment challenging the findings of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) most recent environmental review of Project Tundra, a proposed large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in North Dakota. Project Tundra is
Montevideo, MN, November 20, 2023 — Schools across Minnesota have a new opportunity to access Electric School Bus funds through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Rebate Program. To help schools and communities learn more about electric school buses, the rebate program, and how to apply, there are two upcoming webinars. The first,
At the convening “Carbon Capture and Minnesota’s ‘Carbon-Free’ Future,” CURE and other experts from Minnesota and throughout the U.S. came together for a timely and critical discussion about industry-driven carbon capture, CO2 pipelines, and the false promise of a “cleaner fossil fuel” future. Since 2021, CURE has been at the forefront of the debates surrounding
Carbon Capture + Minnesota’s Carbon Free Future Read More »
Montevideo MN, September 20, 2023 – Today, CURE and Sierra Club submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) challenging the agency’s environmental analysis and expressed approval of the controversial “Project Tundra,” a proposed large-scale carbon capture and storage project in North Dakota. “The DOE’s plan to spend nearly forty million dollars propping up
CURE and Sierra Club call out DOE’s poor analysis of controversial “Project Tundra” Read More »
Montevideo, MN, September 13, 2023 — On September 11th, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (SD PUC) denied Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) application for the company’s proposed CO2 pipeline. The decision was based on concerns raised by four counties that Summit would violate those counties’ setbacks requirements. The setbacks are intended to protect those living
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Denies Summit CO2 Pipeline Permit Request Read More »
Willmar, MN, September 13, 2023 — Today, locally-based organization CURE submitted a petition with 376 signatures to the Kandiyohi County Commissioners calling for robust environmental review of the proposed Tepetonka Golf Course. The local community has broadly opposed the proposed golf course, and many area residents are calling for further environmental review. The Tepetonka project
Montevideo, MN, August 7, 2023 — On Friday, August 4th, the North Dakota Public Services Commission (NDPSC) voted 3-0 to deny Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) application to construct a carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline in the state. The NDPSC’s order stated that Summit: “Failed to meet its burden of proof to show that the location, construction,
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.
