Today with the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, America is making its most significant investment ever in rural electrification, with $9.7 billion available to Rural Electric Cooperatives for new clean energy investments. The USDA Assistance for Rural Electric Cooperatives Program will help rural Americans save money, invest in clean energy, and create 90,000 jobs. […]
A Win for Rural Electric Cooperatives The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) makes historic investments to help Rural Electric Cooperatives transition to a clean energy future. As a rural Minnesota-based democracy organization, CURE is a long-time champion of Rural Electric Cooperatives. We have led the Rural Power Coalition to help secure this monumental funding that puts
CURE’s Statement on the Inflation Reduction Act Read More »
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 »
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 »
Three CURE members—Brad Blue, Marsha Van Denburgh, and James Nelson—are poised to make history and advance clean energy and democracy in Minnesota by running to unseat the incumbents on the Connexus Energy board of directors. Brad, Marsha, and James are running on a platform of cooperative democracy (democratic member control), clean energy and grid innovation,
Three CURE members Connecting Us to a clean energy future! Read More »
What information can Minnesotans who get their electricity from a rural electric cooperative find on their co-op’s website? For example, can co-op members get a basic explanation about the charges and fees on their electric bill? Can they see what mix of energy sources their electricity comes from? Is there information on how to vote
Most MN electric co-op websites lack basics for informing members Read More »
Live in Kandiyohi County and want to go solar? Now’s your chance! Neighbors have formed the Kandiyohi County Solar Co-op with the help of Solar United Neighbors of Minnesota to make it easier to save money on the purchase of solar panels while building a community of local solar supporters. Join us for a
Kandiyohi County Solar Co-op Info Session Read More »
On Saturday, July 15, CURE members Jim & LeeAnn VanDerPol of Pastures A Plenty and Marv & Judi Boike of Boike Farm are sponsoring a field day featuring their solar and wind installations. The event begins at 1:00 pm with a presentation by Solar Farm’s James Darabi at Pastures a Plenty (4077 and 4075 110th
Join Us! Solar & Wind Field Day, Saturday, July 15, 2017 Read More »
CURE has championed renewable energy since the start of its Energy Program in 2005. We believe renewable energy should be accessible and affordable for all Minnesotans. This is where community solar can play a significant role – providing Minnesotans the opportunity to invest in locally owned renewable energy.
Community Solar is About Local Ownership Read More »
Over the coming months CURE will be working in partnership with the Clean Energy and Jobs Campaign to push the state legislature to transition our state to clean, renewable energy like wind and solar and to improve energy efficiency. A transition to clean energy will create and keep good jobs, spur investment in communities across
CURE Promotes Local Clean Energy in Legislative Session Read More »
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!
