Be in the Know: Data Centers Webinar Series Hyperscale data centers are a major concern for Minnesotans. CURE’s Data Center webinar series will help you get up to speed on key issues, including Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs), energy, water, environmental review, community benefit agreements, and more, so you can speak up for yourself and your neighbors. […]
In the Know 🏢 + What Now? ⚡+ What can you do? 🤍 + It’s a Wrap Read More »
As temperatures drop, many vulnerable Minnesotans face rising heating bills. Meanwhile, a major source of assistance, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), was halted by the federal government shutdown. CURE took decisive action to call on the Walz administration to act—building an alliance of organizations and asking you to use your voice too! Now, the administration is listening. And CURE
Keep Minnesota Families Safe & Warm Read More »
Hyperscale data centers are a major concern for Minnesotans across the state. Whether or not a hyperscale data center is proposed for your community, people still have questions and concerns. CURE’s upcoming webinar series will help you get up to speed on key issues, including Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs), energy, water, environmental review, community benefit agreements,
Webinar series: Data Centers – The 800 Megawatt Gorilla in the Room Read More »
Winter is setting in across Minnesota. At the same time, thousands of Minnesotans are at risk of not being able to afford to keep the heat on because the federal government shutdown has halted funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). A CURE-led coalition of 18 organizations from around Minnesota, have sent
Gov. Walz: Protect Minnesota Families from LIHEAP Suspension Read More »
Today, eighteen organizations from across Minnesota that advocate for equity and justice in our energy system sent a letter to the administration of Governor Walz asking it to take action to protect the tens of thousands of Minnesotan households who will be severely impacted by the suspension of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Normally, LIHEAP funds would be distributed to
Defending the carbon-free standard at the Public Utilities Commission and in the Legislature For the second year in a row, CURE has worked in coalition with environmental justice, environmental advocacy, climate activist, health professional, faith based, and zero waste organizations to defend Minnesota’s 100% Carbon Free Energy Law passed in law in 2023. We’ve created
CURE Work + Wins 2025 Read More »
On October 3rd, the MN Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the sale of ALLETE/Minnesota Power to private equity interests. This decision went against the recommendation of an Administrative Law Judge, the PUC’s own staff analysis, CURE testimony, and pleas of Minnesota residents. CURE is thankful to everyone who shared this story, showed support, and submitted comments to
UPDATE: MN Power Sale to BlackRock Read More »
We all need access to clean water, and it is essential to our rural MN communities. Currently, Minnesota is in a water quality crisis due to runoff pollutants and increased erosion as a result of unregulated land management practices. But we know Minnesota can do better. CURE, as part of a coalition of nine state-based groups
Ag Drainage Should Require a Permit Read More »
Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) unanimously approved the sale of ALLETE, the parent company of Minnesota Power, to two private equity investors, the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP) and Global Infrastructure Partners, a subsidiary of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. This decision concludes a lengthy regulatory, legal, and public battle which
MN PUC Greenlights Private Equity Takeover of Minnesota Power Read More »
CURE stands with clergy, immigrant leaders, and community allies in strong opposition to the reopening of the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, MN, as an ICE detention center. Reopening this prison—owned by CoreCivic, a private prison corporation with a history of reports of mismanagement, unsafe conditions, and detainee abuse—would violate our deepest humanitarian and spiritual
CURE Statement on the Potential of an ICE Detention Center in Appleton 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!
