A shortened version of this op-ed piece was originally published in the Minnesota Reformer. Last week, some state senators on the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee met to introduce a bill that revokes the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) authority to set standards for auto emissions. This specifically targets MPCA’s ability to adopt the […]
We want Clean Cars too! Read More »
Today, the Minnesota State Senate’s Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee is meeting to introduce a bill that revokes the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) authority to set standards for auto emissions. This specifically targets MPCA’s ability to adopt a Clean Cars Standard. Minnesotans for Clean Cars, a statewide coalition, is advocating
Rural citizens say “Yes” to Clean Cars Read More »
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) just released an issue brief on Minnesota electric cooperatives (“co-ops”) and the role of out-of-state coal-fired power plants. While Minnesota-based coal plants are being phased out, local electric cooperatives in the state remain tied to memberships in larger generation and transmission cooperatives (G&T’s) that own coal plants in North
UCS Report links MN Electric Cooperatives to Coal Contracts Read More »
In September, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota will adopt Clean Car Standards. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is now responsible for writing the rule to make this happen. Throughout late October and early November, MPCA travelled around Minnesota to hear from you and to answer your questions about a Clean Car Stand for Minnesota.
Clean Cars Minnesota | MPCA holds meetings & seeks comment Read More »
Rural electric cooperatives’ loyalty to coal is holding rural America back. That’s according to a new report authored by CURE, We Own It, and the Center for Rural Affairs. During the 1970s, the country’s electric co-ops made significant investments to build coal-burning power plants; this was done in the interest of providing low-cost electricity to
“Rural Electrification 2.0” is the path to a clean energy future Read More »
Three CURE members—Brad Blue, Marsha Van Denburgh, and James Nelson—are poised to make history and advance clean energy and democracy in Minnesota by running to unseat the incumbents on the Connexus Energy board of directors. Brad, Marsha, and James are running on a platform of cooperative democracy (democratic member control), clean energy and grid innovation,
Three CURE members Connecting Us to a clean energy future! Read More »
What information can Minnesotans who get their electricity from a rural electric cooperative find on their co-op’s website? For example, can co-op members get a basic explanation about the charges and fees on their electric bill? Can they see what mix of energy sources their electricity comes from? Is there information on how to vote
Most MN electric co-op websites lack basics for informing members Read More »
During the 2017 Minnesota legislative session, CURE and our partners fought hard to keep pollinator protections on the radar. Even though legislative leadership worked to kill the pollinator provisions early in the session, pollinators and pesticides stayed in the mix until the end. The Department of Ag, Governor Dayton, and countless citizens that made their
The Buzz on MN Pollinators Read More »
CURE was honored to lift up members Carmen and Sally Fernholz as they hosted a Kernza Field Day at their farm in Madison. Through both organic and sustainable farming practices, the Fernholz family have been role models of land stewardship in the watershed. As the first commercially produced perennial grain crop, intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza® perennial
Kernza Field Day at A-Frame Farm Read More »
On Saturday, July 15, CURE members Jim & LeeAnn VanDerPol of Pastures A Plenty and Marv & Judi Boike of Boike Farm sponsored a field day featuring their solar and wind installations. The event began at 1:00 pm with a presentation by Solar Farm’s James Darabi at Pastures a Plenty (4077 and 4075 110th Ave
Solar & Wind Field Day 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.
