Energy & Innovation

Rural Electric Co-op Scorecard

Scorecard 2023: Minnesota’s RECs are moving in the right direction and still need to take key steps to inform and engage members better 

Energy & Innovation

RECs make a 93% improvement! Minnesota’s rural electric cooperatives (REC) are starting to heed the call to improve member-owner engagement through enhanced transparency. This is a significantly different place than RECs were in 2018 when CURE began to measure and track co-op governance and transparency policies via the REC Scorecard.   What’s new:  The 2023 iteration […]

Scorecard 2023: Minnesota’s RECs are moving in the right direction and still need to take key steps to inform and engage members better  Read More »

CO2 Pipeline Map

CURE says PUC “got it wrong”— Petitions for reconsideration on scope of Environmental Review for CO2 pipeline

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation Press Releases

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

CURE says PUC “got it wrong”— Petitions for reconsideration on scope of Environmental Review for CO2 pipeline Read More »

100% Clean Energy MN

100% Clean Energy MN

CURE News, Energy & Innovation

The 100% Clean Energy Act sets Minnesota on the path of clean and renewable energy that will save Minnesotans money, increase electric grid reliability, and create good rural jobs. We are protecting and preserving what we love most about Minnesota and looking out for our kids and grandkids. 100% Clean Electricity from the sun and

100% Clean Energy MN Read More »

Heavy Equipment digging a Pipeline

CURE applauds PUC decision requiring environmental review for CO2 pipeline but troubled by limited scope

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

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

CURE applauds PUC decision requiring environmental review for CO2 pipeline but troubled by limited scope Read More »

Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

CURE’s Statement on the Inflation Reduction Act

Energy & Innovation, People & Communities

A Win for Rural Electric Cooperatives  The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) makes historic investments to help Rural Electric Cooperatives transition to a clean energy future. As a rural Minnesota-based democracy organization, CURE is a long-time champion of Rural Electric Cooperatives. We have led the Rural Power Coalition to help secure this monumental funding that puts

CURE’s Statement on the Inflation Reduction Act Read More »

Generic people meeting image

Concern about Summit Carbon Solution’s proposed CO2 pipeline & shady tactics brings landowners together

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

Concern over a proposed CO2 pipeline in southwest Minnesota and the conduct of pipeline company, Summit Carbon Solutions, spurred nearly 60 landowners and community members from Redwood and Cottonwood Counties to meet on the evening of Friday, July 15th. In Minnesota, sections of Summit’s proposed high pressure CO2 pipeline network will cut through Chippewa, Cottonwood,

Concern about Summit Carbon Solution’s proposed CO2 pipeline & shady tactics brings landowners together Read More »

GRE's Cambridge 2 Peaker Plant

The Cycle Continues – Great River Energy Attempts to Evade Environmental Review

CURE News, Energy & Innovation

Great River Energy (GRE) has proposed to the Public Utilities Commission a “minor alteration” to its existing permit for its gas-fired power plant in Cambridge, Minnesota. Hardly “minor,” the company plans to change it to an oil-and-gas-burning “dual fuel” plant while evading full environmental review. Environmental review for a new power plant would normally have

The Cycle Continues – Great River Energy Attempts to Evade Environmental Review Read More »

Scroll to Top
Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

Envelope Linkedin

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!

Tell the MPCA that Ag Drainage Should Require a Permit

Act Now!