Minnesotans from around the region traveled to Granite Falls to learn more about the proposed land transfer of Upper Sioux Agency State Park back to the Dakota people Area residents encouraged to be on the “right side” of history moving forward On the evening of Wednesday, April 5, several hundred people gathered in Granite Falls […]
Rise & Repair Rally brings 200+ people to the Minnesota State Capitol on February 15th 200+ activists ask their legislators to center indigenous rights and climate justice in the transition to renewable energy What does a clean energy future look like to you? Affordable electricity with no more mass shut-offs right before winter? Smog-fee skies
Marching for the 2023 Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice platform Read More »
CURE is fighting for a bright rural future and against false climate solutions on the ground in our rural Minnesota communities, through the media, and in the halls of power at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and in the legislature. “The Biggest Energy story you don’t know about” CURE took to the pages of MinnPost
Everything Everywhere All at Once Read More »
CURE (Clean Up the River Environment) is arguing that there is nothing hypothetical about Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) plans for an extensive CO2 pipeline network in Minnesota. On Monday, February 27, Montevideo-based CURE petitioned the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reconsider its February 6, 2023, decision to deny CURE’s Citizen Petition for environmental review
On Thursday, January 5, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) unanimously voted to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as a necessary component of the permitting process for Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline. In doing so, the PUC denied Summit’s attempt to fast-track the review process of its hazardous CO2 pipeline project
For many, November can feel dreary and drab as we slide toward the darkest time of the year. During the past few years, the news and mood have held that same tone and we collectively have borne a weariness. Yet we still do all that needs to be done. We donate to the food shelf
Together our light shines brighter Read More »
Over the last two months, there have been major developments and milestones in CURE work in rural communities and the energy future of the state and country–and we’ve been making headlines. Historic wins for Rural Electric Co-ops in the Inflation Reduction Act CURE’s work around Rural Electric Co-ops had a huge win in August with
Historic Wins and Hot Debates Read More »
In a late September ruling, the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed that Limbo Creek, the last free-flowing stream in Renville County, is a protected public water. This ruling means that any drainage projects for the creek must go through an environmental review. CURE (Clean Up the River Environment), a Montevideo-based rural organization, applauds this ruling as
In mid-September, Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions (Summit) submitted its first route permit application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties section of its proposed Midwest Carbon Express CO2 pipeline network in Minnesota. This leg of the project is 28.1 miles, a small fraction of the more than 212
Today with the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, America is making its most significant investment ever in rural electrification, with $9.7 billion available to Rural Electric Cooperatives for new clean energy investments. The USDA Assistance for Rural Electric Cooperatives Program will help rural Americans save money, invest in clean energy, and create 90,000 jobs.
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.
