Clean Energy

GRE's Cambridge 2 Peaker Plant

The Cycle Continues – Great River Energy Attempts to Evade Environmental Review

CURE News, Energy & Innovation

Great River Energy (GRE) has proposed to the Public Utilities Commission a “minor alteration” to its existing permit for its gas-fired power plant in Cambridge, Minnesota. Hardly “minor,” the company plans to change it to an oil-and-gas-burning “dual fuel” plant while evading full environmental review. Environmental review for a new power plant would normally have […]

The Cycle Continues – Great River Energy Attempts to Evade Environmental Review Read More »

EV Charging Station

MN Senate: Don’t play games with our clean transportation future 

CURE News

2022 is a pivotal year for Minnesota’s clean transportation future. The House and Senate have introduced their transportation omnibus bills which will determine how money is spent and how policies are shaped with regard to clean transportation in our state. The Legislature must ensure that these bills will make Minnesota competitive on clean transportation nationally

MN Senate: Don’t play games with our clean transportation future  Read More »

Powerlines in a corn field

Investing in Rural Minnesota through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

CURE News, People & Communities

In November 2021, the bipartisan infrastructure legislation became law. Soon funds will be flowing into Minnesota communities making substantial investments into our built infrastructure and growing rural prosperity. This law makes real progress towards not leaving rural places behind in the 21st century by investing in our roads and bridges, water infrastructure, EV charging, energy-efficient

Investing in Rural Minnesota through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Read More »

Power Plant Smokestack Emitting Pollution

Letter to GRE: Stop the sale of Coal Creek Station

Energy & Innovation, People & Communities

To the leaders of Great River Energy, Many people throughout Minnesota, and across the country, celebrated Great River Energy’s move in 2020 to retire Coal Creek Station and make a groundbreaking transition to clean energy. That’s why so many member-owners and member-owner advocates were so disappointed when GRE unexpectedly changed course. Minnesota has a deep

Letter to GRE: Stop the sale of Coal Creek Station Read More »

Coal Plant on left and Wind Turbines on right

The future of coal is dim

Energy & Innovation

By Merrill Piepkorn, North Dakota State Senator, District 44 — North Fargo Great River Energy is a Minnesota-based cooperative that serves 700,000 members through 28 electric cooperatives. The lignite coal burning Coal Creek Station electric generation plant near Washburn, N.D., has been one of Great River’s major sources of electricity since it began operating in

The future of coal is dim Read More »

Electric Lines with text "Vote - Electric Co-op Elections"

It’s Electric Co-op election season and YOUR VOTE is needed!

CURE News

It’s election season for Minnesota’s electric co-ops, and member-owners across the state are casting votes. They are making their voices heard on the future of their utility and its energy system. During a global pandemic and corresponding economic crisis, electric co-op elections carry a new significance. Essential workers and services are finally getting the recognition

It’s Electric Co-op election season and YOUR VOTE is needed! Read More »

Say YES Clean Cars MN

Say YES to Clean Cars MN

CURE News

Clean Cars Minnesota means reduced climate pollution from cars and trucks, healthier air across the state, more vehicle choice, saving money at the gas pump, and economic opportunities in rural Minnesota. Join CURE and let the MN Pollution Control Agency know— I want Minnesota to adopt a strong Clean Cars MN Standard! Adopting Clean Cars

Say YES to Clean Cars MN Read More »

Rural Electrification 2.0 report cover

“Rural Electrification 2.0” is the path to a clean energy future

Energy & Innovation

Rural electric cooperatives’ loyalty to coal is holding rural America back. That’s according to a new report authored by CURE, We Own It, and the Center for Rural Affairs. During the 1970s, the country’s electric co-ops made significant investments to build coal-burning power plants; this was done in the interest of providing low-cost electricity to

“Rural Electrification 2.0” is the path to a clean energy future 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 Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!