Energy & Innovation

stanley tucci over the image of a data center

Gird Your Loins: Navigating the Wave of Data Center Development in Minnesota

Energy & Innovation

Minnesota, like states across the country, is facing a sudden influx of proposals to build massive “hyperscale” data centers to meet the demands of big tech companies looking to scale up artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency mining, cloud computing, and related digital technologies. But while the advancement of Big Tech projects careens forward at breakneck speed, the public scrutiny […]

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people gathering in the MN state capitol rotunda for Rise + Repair 2025

CURE’s Cliffs Notes on the First Act of MN’s 2025 Legislative Session

Energy & Innovation, Land & Water, People & Communities

This is the second CURE Legislative update of 2025. Stay tuned for periodic updates at key points during the Session, which officially ends on Monday, May 19th. It’s been two months since Minnesota legislators assembled at the Capitol for the start of session, and after a halting start, we now have a better idea of

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45Q Delegation in Washington DC outside the Capitol

CO2 Pipeline Resistance to Congress: Cut the Waste, Repeal 45Q

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation, Land & Water, People & Communities

*99.9% of the tax credits are claimed by massive oil and gas interests. Carbon capture is the most expensive, least effective climate mitigation strategy.   Last week, I traveled to the Capitol with a small but determined group of Minnesotans: landowners, farmers, and community members who are experiencing the threats posed by the carbon capture

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pipeline in trench

CURE Seeks Reconsideration of CO2 Pipeline Permit in MN

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation, Energy & Innovation Press Releases, Land & Water, People & Communities

Updated maps show new pipeline leg in Chippewa, Kandiyohi & Swift Counties  On March 13, CURE, a rural advocacy organization based out of Montevideo, filed an appeal to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) arguing that the decision to grant Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC a permit for 28-miles of CO2 pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties

CURE Seeks Reconsideration of CO2 Pipeline Permit in MN Read More »

MN State Capitol and Township Building

Keeping it Rural and Real amid Capitol Chaos 

CURE News, Energy & Innovation, Land & Water, People & Communities

As Minnesota’s political landscape faces uncertainty, CURE remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for rural communities and their vital interests at the state legislature. Here are the top issues CURE will be working on this year at the legislature: Defending our Wins: In 2023, Minnesota passed the “100% Law,” which requires all utilities* to

Keeping it Rural and Real amid Capitol Chaos  Read More »

Students with CO2 protest signs

PUC approves first CO2 pipeline permit in MN, with conditions

Energy & Innovation

CURE and community members express anger and disappointment at the decision On Thursday, December 12th, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted the route permit for Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties. However, the PUC placed a number of conditions on the permit, including prohibiting Summit from

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pipeline in trench

MN greases the wheels for Summit’s CO2 pipeline, SD voters deal a serious blow // MN PUC will decide on Summit’s permit in December 12th meeting

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation Press Releases

Montevideo, MN, November 12, 2024—Last week saw two important if contradictory decisions related to Summit Carbon Solutions LLC’s controversial $8.9-billion carbon-capture pipeline project. One moves the CO2 pipeline one step forward in securing the permit for its proposed 28-mile segment in Minnesota. At the same time, the other is a major electoral setback in South

MN greases the wheels for Summit’s CO2 pipeline, SD voters deal a serious blow // MN PUC will decide on Summit’s permit in December 12th meeting Read More »

Storm Clouds Gathering

The poster child for carbon capture plants has leaked… Twice.

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation

Recent leaks at carbon dioxide sequestration wells in Illinois operated by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) have drawn attention from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and caused the company to pause carbon injections at one of its wells in Decatur, IL. ADM operates multiple carbon injection wells in the area, part of its foray into

The poster child for carbon capture plants has leaked… Twice. Read More »

Money Burning

Carbon capture is making climate change worse at taxpayer expense.

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation

A new report from Empower lays out how billions in carbon capture tax credits – the result of intense industry lobbying–shifts the high costs of enhanced oil recovery onto taxpayers. It’s a waste of money that drives climate change while putting our environment, health and safety at risk. Read more about the report’s troubling findings

Carbon capture is making climate change worse at taxpayer expense. Read More »

Public Hearing on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the CO2 Pipeline in MN

As comment period closes, Minnesotans show overwhelming opposition to proposed CO2 pipeline in Fergus Falls area

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation Press Releases

September 19, 2024—By more than a 100-to-1 ratio, Minnesotans have submitted public comments opposing the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline. The comment period, which closed on Sept 11, was regarding the 28-mile Otter Tail to Wilkin Counties segment of a proposed 240+ mile CO2 pipeline network planned for Minnesota. Of the more

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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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!

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