Summer is heating up, and so is CURE’s work! We don’t want you to miss out on updates about these issues critical to our rural Minnesota communities and the places we love across the state. Of course, we can’t do this work without the support of members like you.
CO2 pipelines
At the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) hearing on May 19, the PUC unanimously decided that they have pre-existing authority to regulate CO2 pipelines.
CURE and our allies testified in support of PUC oversight. Campaigns Director, Maggie Schuppert, was quoted about this decision by MPR — Minnesota moves to regulate carbon dioxide pipelines.
The PUC hearing and outcome were set in motion by CURE’s petitions last fall to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). This is a victory for rural Minnesotans who don’t want private corporations steamrolling their projects through our communities at our expense.
Meanwhile, CURE continues to talk to local government officials about the many concerns and questions rural communities have around the proposed CO2 pipeline projects.
In April, Summit Carbon Solutions announced the addition of the Bushmills Ethanol Plant in Atwater, MN, to their CO2 pipeline network adding at least 50 more miles of pipeline through Minnesota farm fields and rural communities.
Summit also announced it is joining forces with Minnkota Power Cooperative in North Dakota to store some of its piped CO2 at Minnkota’s Project Tundra storage site. Take a look back at what CURE had to say about Project Tundra and why it’s a bad deal for co-op members.
Last week, Navigator CO2 Ventures announced that it has inked an agreement with POET to add many of its bioprocessing facilities to its Heartland Greenway CO2 pipeline. POET has four facilities in Minnesota, however, none of these plants were part of the announcement. 18 POET facilities in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota are included in the expansion. It is to be noted that these states all have eminent domain for CO2 pipelines, but Minnesota currently does not. The MN PUC is also set to embark on a rulemaking on CO2 pipelines which could take over a year. The Navigator’s Heartland Greenway CO2 pipeline currently has a planned spur into Martin County.
The announcement from Navigator reminds us that CO2 pipeline projects in the Midwest continue to expand their footprints.
Learn more HERE about CO2 pipelines in Minnesota, find resources, and watch videos.
Public Waters
On April 11, the Limbo Creek Case was heard by the Minnesota Supreme Court, and a ruling is expected by the end of the summer.
The fight over Minnesota River water quality continues and local residents are voicing their vision for the future of the watershed and their community. Tepetonka, an exclusive private golf course has been proposed along the banks of Shakopee Creek near New London, MN. CURE is petitioning the Environmental Quality Board for an Environmental Review.
This month, CURE also submitted comments in support of the Fond du Lac Band in its fight against the PolyMet copper-sulfide mine, highlighting the harmful effects of mercury and the Band’s inherent and federally recognized right to enjoy the natural resources in the St. Louis River watershed.
Energy Democracy
CURE, PEER, and Sierra Club North Star Chapter petitioned the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) requesting an Environmental Review to hold Great River Energy (GRE) accountable for its plan to add diesel burners to their natural gas power plant in Cambridge, MN. We are awaiting a response from the PUC. You can tune in to the PUC’s June 23rd meeting to hear CURE and partners make the case against GRE’s proposed plan.
Have you ever wanted to go solar but faced hurdles installing solar panels, or were you nervous about joining a solar garden? CURE’s friends at Cooperative Energy Futures may have the right option for you—the Clara City cooperative solar garden! Xcel customers in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Renville, Swift, or Yellow Medicine Counties can join. Learn more HERE.
Electric School Buses
Right now, there is $500 million available for schools to buy electric school buses. CURE, as a member of the Coalition for Clean Transportation, is helping spread the word about this historic opportunity for schools to ditch their reliance on pricey diesel while making sure our kids aren’t breathing in toxic fumes on the way to school.
Rural schools can see the most benefit and are considered a funding priority, but they need to apply! Talk to your local school board and administrators about going electric today. The application window is open now through August 19. Resources from the EPA & more from CURE’s friends at MN350.
Support CURE & Become a Member
CURE can only work on the breadth and depth of issues that we do because of the support of our members like you. There are many ways to support our work – you can become a monthly donor for as little as $5/month, give a one-time donation, or make an annual contribution through a donor-advised fund. No matter the method or the amount, every bit helps! Join the many individuals across Minnesota and the region who invest in our work at CURE.
