ai data centers

banners at the mn state capitol during a rally for data center regulation in 2026

Data Center Laws Minnesota Needs 

Energy & Innovation

Hyperscale data centers’ real-world resource demands impact many aspects of our lives: energy, water, air, noise, light, land use, public trust, and the economy, to name a few. Yet Minnesota’s so-called “nation-leading” data center law passed in 2025 only addresses energy and some economics—namely taxes—leaving communities around the state scrambling to understand and address the laundry list of potential negative impacts, virtually on their own. If hyperscale data centers plan to operate in Minnesota, our communities need these legal protections at a minimum.

Data Center Laws Minnesota Needs  Read More »

Scroll to Top
Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

Envelope Linkedin

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.