2024 Minnesota Legislative Session There were so many wins for Minnesotans and our landscapes this year—see CURE’s 2024 Legislative Wrap Up here! From stronger water protections and distributed clean energy support to stopping the Clean Transportation Standard (CTS) yet again and securing critical safeguards within a challenging permitting reform bill, CURE made sure rural communities’ […]
CURE’s Wins and Work in 2024 Read More »
There are no lazy days for the crew at CURE! Catch up on the latest news and keep an eye on your email inbox for more webinars, action alerts, and opportunities! 100% Carbon Free Energy ☀️ 🍃 Last year, Minnesota passed the “100% Carbon-Free by 2040 Energy Standard,” which was celebrated as a crucial win
100% NOT a Boring Summer Read More »
CURE warmly welcomes Maria Oachs to our staff as a legal intern during the summer of 2024. This fall, Maria will be a third-year law student at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. As a legal intern at CURE, she will continue our work cataloging and analyzing state agency policies and how different
Maria Oachs // Summer 2024 CURE Legal Intern Read More »
CURE is excited to welcome Tom Burnett to our staff during the summer of 2024 as a Legal Intern. Tom is a second-year law student at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. During his time with CURE, Tom is conducting legal research, drafting comments for submission to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, and
Tom Burnett // Summer 2024 CURE Legal Intern Read More »
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 »
🚫 CO2 Pipelines in MN 🚫 CURE continues to lead the opposition to Summit’s proposed CO2 pipeline. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 28-mile portion of the project in Otter Tail and Wilkin County was published in January of this year. We were happy to see so many impacted community members, members of
No fooling! Catch up with CURE ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 Read More »
Minnesota’s “Carbon-Free Future” & the Myth of Cleaner Fossil Fuels In October, CURE hosted a convening for environmental organizations and activists in Saint Paul entitled “Carbon Capture and Minnesota’s ‘Carbon-Free’ Future.” Joined by experts from across the country, CURE staff delved into the issues of a rapidly expanding carbon capture industry, providing insight as to
Light returns. Years turn. Catch up with CURE. Read More »
Minnesota winters, rural roads, and electric vehicles are made for each other! This free in-person event allowed folks to test-drive new EVs in winter conditions during Ely’s annual winter extravaganza. CURE partnered with Drive Electric Minnesota and the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs). As part of Ely’s Winter Festival this event featured: Ely’s newest &
Northern Exposure: Winter EV Ride & Drive | Ely 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.
