2023 Minnesota Legislative Session
There were so many wins for Minnesotans and our Minnesota lands – Read more here!
CO2 Pipelines + False Climate Solutions
CURE continues to lead the Minnesota campaign against proposed CO2/Carbon Pipelines by helping organize landowners and concerned communities. At the state and federal level, CURE continues to intervene with regulators about the harmful impacts of these projects on rural communities and Minnesota lands. Learn more about CURE’s work on CO2 pipelines + False Climate Solutions.
Rise + Repair
In February, CURE co-sponsored the Rise + Repair event that called on legislators and the Governor to center indigenous rights and climate justice as we build a just and sustainable economy for people across Minnesota and to take bold action to protect our land, water, and all living creatures. Read more about Rise + Repair.
REC Scorecard
In the spring of 2023, CURE released the latest update of the REC Scorecard that rated how well Minnesota’s electric co-ops demonstrate online transparency. It also highlights how co-ops are modernizing their energy supply and how they communicate with their members. This edition also asked co-ops about how they are sharing information with member-owners about the New ERA and PACE programs, which provide co-ops with historic funding opportunities to move to clean energy generation. Visit CURE’s REC Scorecard.
Fighting dirty “Dual-Fuel” proposal at GRE’s Cambridge Peaker Power Plant
CURE continues to advocate for more robust environmental review of Great River Energy’s proposal to add diesel fuel capabilities to its Cambridge peaking plant. If built, the new addition would allow the facility to run for up to 1,282 hours a year on diesel and emit more greenhouse gases and pollutants, like CO2, NOx, particulate matter, and mercury, than it currently emits when operating on natural gas. CURE has also encouraged the Commission and GRE to think of other, less polluting options—like renewable energy and battery storage—to achieve the same goals of resiliency. Learn more here.
Building a Just Energy Transition
In May 20023, CURE was among a group of community and environmental justice leaders, electric grid analysts, and labor representatives who released new “Equitable Grid Principles.” The Principles aim to guide electric grid decision making while improving community health, creating good local jobs, providing financial benefits, and avoiding additional burdens on communities already vulnerable to environmental health hazards. This work is part of CURE’s expanding focus on ensuring that the wellbeing and vitality of rural communities is prioritized in the buildout of clean energy. Read the “Equitable Grid Principles” report.
Listen Lead Share – listening sessions to learn more from folks like you!
Throughout the Summer and Fall of 2023, CURE has been convening small groups across rural Minnesota to discover what is on rural people’s minds. What keeps people up at night, including how rural Minnesota feels about the climate crisis? Their insights and answers are helping to inform and shape CURE’s work.
IRA facts sheets | Learn more about Energy Saving Tax Credits for the way Rural Minnesotans live
CURE wants everyone across rural Minnesota to know about the ways the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) invests in helping Minnesotans have more comfortable homes and lower utility bills through upgrades in energy efficiency, weatherization, and ownership of reliable, clean energy generation in addition to helping make everyday transportation costs more affordable. Rural Small Business owners and farmers can access expanded REAP grants and loans. Upgrade to save! Learn more here!
Forestry Intervention + Agency Accountability
CURE has been working with partners to highlight the DNR’s poor management of state forested lands, including increased logging of protected wildlife habitats. CURE has led other organizations in calling out the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s continued distribution of hunter and angler taxes to the DNR despite the appalling land management. CURE is calling for a full environmental review of the DNR’s forest ecosystem damage and the return of misspent funds.
Record interest in IRA $$ for Rural Electric Co-ops
Last year, CURE helped push through the rural electric cooperative clean energy funding in the Inflation Reduction Act, now known as New ERA and PACE. This year, a record-setting rush of almost 160 Electric Co-ops have started the process of applying for New ERA cleaning energy funding, which will create jobs, save rural Americans money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is an amazing start to a rural clean energy future. Still, more investment is needed to ensure all rural Americans can be part of the clean energy future. Read more here
New CURE staff members – Misty + Kari + Hudson!
CURE staff continued to grow this year with the addition of Misty Butler, Kari Dorry, and Hudson Kingston. Misty joined CURE in January 2023 as the Communications and Design Management Director. She is based in Marshall, MN. Kari joined CURE in May 2023 as a Rural Organizer. She is based in Ortonville, MN and leads the “Listen Lead Share” campaign. Hudson joined CURE in August 2023 as the Legal Director. He is based in Ely, MN. They both bring years of expertise and experience in their respective fields. Misty, Kari, and Hudson are great additions to the CURE team and our capacity to make lasting change for rural MN. Meet the new CURE staff!
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