Rural Electric CO-OPs Archives

Erik Hatlestad honored for vital work on rural clean energy & electric co-ops

CURE Press Releases, Energy & Innovation Press Releases

Last week, CURE’s Director of Rural Cooperative Energy, Erik Hatlestad, was named to the 2025 Grist50 list for his work on rural clean energy and electric cooperatives. This honor reflects Erik’s efforts helping design and pass the New ERA program that provides the largest investment in rural electrification in U.S. history. New ERA funding enables […]

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Erik Hatlestad, CURE Energy Democracy Director, Answers USDA request to Serve with Rural Utility Service

Energy & Innovation Press Releases

At the end of January, CURE bid a temporary “bon voyage” to Energy Democracy Director Erik Hatlestad as he started serving a six-month detail with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, Rural Utility Service (RUS) as a Clean Energy Benefits Advisor. During his detail, Hatlestad will help the RUS implement the Empowering

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New ERA funding cuts threaten future of Rural America

Energy & Innovation

Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), there has been growing excitement in rural communities and rural electric cooperative offices around the country about the historic investments in rural electrification contained in the IRA. Specifically, the Empowering Rural America Program (New ERA) and the Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program (PACE) will help leverage

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A “New ERA” for MN rural communities & electric co-ops

Energy & Innovation Press Releases

CURE celebrates $9.7 billion in federal funds available for clean energy investments Rural leaders from across the country gathered at the White House last week to mark the release of the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. The program makes $9.7 billion of federal investment available to rural electric cooperatives that will leverage almost $40

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Left image is a man wiring a solar panel; the right image is black and white featuring rural electric co-op linemen stringing powerlines as part of the rural electrification act.

CURE helps win $9.7 billion in clean energy funding for Rural Electric Co-ops in Inflation Reduction Act

Energy & Innovation Press Releases, People & Communities Press Releases

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.

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CURE’s Statement on the Inflation Reduction Act

Energy & Innovation, People & Communities

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

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Great River Energy's Cambridge Power Plant

Great River Energy’s dual fuel plan for Cambridge power plant ordered to undergo Environmental Review

Energy & Innovation Press Releases, People & Communities Press Releases

Last week, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) ordered an environmental review of Great River Energy’s (GRE) plan to convert the Cambridge 2 natural gas peaking plant into a “dual fuel” facility—one that burns either natural gas or fuel oil. GRE called this proposal a “minor alteration” that was not subject to further review. But

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Water tower at sunset with Minnesota map overlay

Sizzling & Speaking up!

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation, Land & Water, People & Communities

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

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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

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An Open Letter: Electric Co-ops Must Lead in the COVID Crisis

CURE News, Energy & Innovation

To nonprofit leaders, community organizers, advocacy groups, and elected officials, We are leaders of faith, justice, agriculture, cooperative, rural and environmental organizations that share an understanding of the significance that rural electric cooperatives hold for resilience and economic relief and recovery during this time of crisis. With this open letter, we are calling on you

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