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’ needs stayed front and center. CURE is committed to a future where rural voices are heard, and rural communities aren’t left behind.
Defending Our Waters
This year, CURE won key protections for Minnesota’s waters, including an expanded public waters definition to provide protection to more lakes and streams. We also secured grants for manure management to protect groundwater, a PFAS report to hold polluters accountable, and more. Water issues guide CURE’s actions, from pipelines to policy, because in Minnesota, water is life.
Expanding Rural Clean Energy Access
From rooftop solar to millions in new funding for local co-ops, CURE is making clean energy a reality for more rural Minnesotans.
- This year, we’re seeing the impact of the historic $9.7 billion New ERA Program we shaped: Connexus Energy, our state’s largest electric co-op, is set to add 227 MW of renewables and 20 MW of storage, powering nearly 80,000 homes annually.
- The USDA just announced the Farmer Benefit Plan concept, which CURE envisioned in 2023, ensuring all rural communities gain from clean energy.
- At the legislature, we advanced interconnection of distributed energy sources, secured assistance for local governments, and much more.
By bringing your rural voices to the forefront of this transition, we’re securing huge wins and leading the way together!
Delaying CO2 Pipeline Build Out
CURE is continuing to lead the Minnesota campaign against carbon pipelines in Minnesota. And we’re witnessing incredible mobilization from landowners and community members, like you, who are taking a stand. We won’t let these dangerous projects slip through the cracks. For more details of our work, visit our page on CO2 pipelines.
Raising Rural Voices
Drawing from the insights gathered in our 2023 Rural Listening Sessions, we’ve identified the biggest challenges facing rural communities right now and developed solutions that make rural people like us feel heard. Our Issues on the Rural Agenda webpage puts these needs in front of voters and leaders across the state. And we’re not shying away from tough topics like climate change. We’re making sure that rural realities get the attention they deserve.
Turning Values to Action
This year, CURE empowered thousands of rural Minnesotans to take action on the issues that matter most. You got your neighbors to add their names to our 100% Carbon-Free Energy petition and rallied for the protection of Swedes Forest. You showed up against the proposed Summit pipeline and other critical concerns, submitting comments to agencies and speaking at Public Utilities Commission hearings. You also made your voices heard during the 2024 election and secured critical Environment and Natural Resources Trust funding for the next 25 years, ensuring that future generations will continue to benefit from Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and forests. CURE is all about showing up, even when the fights are tough. Your participation in local events and efforts to keep us informed about issues close to your heart are what make this work meaningful. Together, we’re making rural voices heard.
Confronting Polluters and False Solutions
With your support, we’re taking a stand against polluters and pushing back on fake climate fixes. As part of People Not Polluters, we’ve joined forces with allied organizations to challenge projects that threaten Minnesota—from oil pipelines to pesticides. We weren’t afraid to speak out when others wouldn’t, pushing for stronger environmental protections in Minnesota’s 100% Carbon-Free Energy Law. And by educating around false climate solutions like burning wood biomass, we’re protecting our forests.
Growing Our Team
Your support helped us hire new staff with expertise in legal work and media, allowing us to cover more ground and make a bigger impact across rural Minnesota. Big welcome to our Legal Intern Dawson Weathers and Senior Organizer Andy Pearson!
