Field Notes

🏛 Unfinished work: Data Center Laws MN Needs Minnesota’s 2025 data center law left major gaps that put communities, water, and local decision-making at risk. As lawmakers look ahead to the 2027 session, CURE is calling for stronger protections: a statewide permitting process, full environmental review, clean energy requirements, water use transparency, community safeguards, limits […]

Data Center coming to your community? 👉  Start here. As big tech backed data center proposals keep popping up across Minnesota, more people are asking questions, getting organized, and stepping into local leadership. CURE’s new Local Action Hub gives communities the tools, videos, resources, and real-world stories they need to understand what’s at stake and

The Fine Print: Where Minnesota’s Data Center Law Falls Short 🔎 Across Minnesota, at least 15 hyperscale data centers have been proposed. State leaders say we already passed a “nation-leading” law in 2025, but does it actually cover what matters? Meanwhile, communities are left trying to figure out the impacts on local taxes, electricity use, and water, while projects move forward fast. The TL;DR: Minnesota’s 2025 law

They Didn’t Get It Done. We’re Just Getting Started. 🏛 ✊ Minnesota lawmakers wrapped up a contentious session without passing meaningful energy or environmental policy despite strong public pressure. CURE’s legislative priorities—responsible data center standards, better pipeline planning, and zero waste policies—fell short this year, even with bipartisan support. Frustrating? Absolutely. But it’s not the end of the story. CURE and our partners built momentum,

MN Legislature “Kicking the Can” on Data Center Action 👎 The 2026 legislative session ends May 18. CURE and partners have been pushing for a robust framework for hyperscale data centers—so Minnesotans get the final say on if these facilities are approved, where they are built, and how they impact water, power bills, and communities. While anything can happen in the waning weeks of session, prospects for putting the

Public Need! Not Big Oil Greed! 🛢️  CURE is working with MN allies to improve laws around big oil pipelines in our state. This bill (HF 4377/SF 4554) would add needed clarity to our existing policies so that any company seeking a Certificate of Need in Minnesota for an oil pipeline would provide a forecast of demand

MN Legislative Session is in Full Swing Minnesota’s 2026 legislative session kicked off last week. As always, CURE remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for rural communities and their vital interests at the state legislature. CURE’s 2026 MN Legislative priorities: READ about them and WATCH our preview webinar. Remember: your voice is critical to remind lawmakers why their action (or inaction) matters to Minnesotans across

Minnesota Regulators Trash 100% Law 🏭🔥🌲 Earlier this month, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) decided that burning trash and wood to generate electricity can now be considered as a carbon-free energy source. This controversial decision goes against the plain wording of MN’s 100% carbon-free energy law and the legislature’s vision. This is a huge step backwards for Minnesota’s energy

Be in the Know: Data Centers Webinar Series  Hyperscale data centers are a major concern for Minnesotans. CURE’s Data Center webinar series will help you get up to speed on key issues, including Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs), energy, water, environmental review, community benefit agreements, and more, so you can speak up for yourself and your neighbors.

As temperatures drop, many vulnerable Minnesotans face rising heating bills. Meanwhile, a major source of assistance, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), was halted by the federal government shutdown. CURE took decisive action to call on the Walz administration to act—building an alliance of organizations and asking you to use your voice too! Now, the administration is listening. And CURE