Tell MN Regulators: We need 100% Carbon Free EnergyNo Polluting Power // No False Solutions➡️ Take Action by Wed., Sept. 17th! ⬅️ Tell the MN PUC that they must ensure that the implementation of the 100% Law lays the groundwork for an energy future in Minnesota that prioritizes the health, well-being, and resilience of our […]
ACTION ALERT: “Carbon Free” means Carbon Free! Read More »
Minnesota Power is violating federal coal ash rules! And, now, CURE has joined with Sierra Club and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) in letting the utility know. In July 2024, Minnesota Power’s Boswell coal plant suffered a 5.5 million gallon coal ash water spill, and the company has still not come clean about how bad the
Demanding Accountability from Minnesota Power Over Boswell Coal Ash Spill Read More »
Minnesota PUC must put public interest first by denying private equity greed The final comment period closed for the proposed private equity acquisition of ALLETE, parent company of Minnesota Power. Under the proposed acquisition, ALLETE would no longer be a publicly traded company and would be sold to two private equity investors, the Canadian Pension
Protect Minnesotans and the environment, reject the BlackRock buyout of Minnesota Power Read More »
Re: In the Matter of the Petition of Minnesota Power for the Acquisition of ALLETE by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Global Infrastructure Partners, Docket Nos. E-015/PA-24-198 and E-015/M-24-383 CURE submits these initial comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) regarding the questions posed in the July 18, 2025, Notice of Comment Period on
Why the ALLETE/MN Power Acquisition Settlement Fails the Public Interest Test Read More »
A critical battle for our energy future and the role of private equity in our essential services is playing out in northern Minnesota. And CURE, along with our allies, had a significant victory along the way to a final decision. ALLETE/Minnesota Power is the target of a proposed acquisition by powerful private equity interests, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and the Canadian
Private Equity or Public Power: The proposed sale of ALLETE/Minnesota Power to BlackRock Read More »
This Saturday morning, as I was loading our recycling bins and a single yellow bag of garbage into the back of the car, my neighbor Joey called out from behind me: “Hey! Headed to dump? Me too, see you there!” “Great minds, I guess!” I yelled in return. Living at the end of a dirt
Waste Not: Reclaiming Rural Resilience in a Disposable Age Read More »
Today, Sierra Club, CURE, and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) sent a letter to Minnesota Power demanding that the company address problems associated with storage and management of coal ash wastewater at the coal-fired Boswell Energy Center, which violate the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and associated federal regulations. Under a federal rule governing management of coal ash
Private equity acquisition of public utility would result in “net harm” On July 15th, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) released her report recommending that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reject the proposed private equity buyout of ALLETE, Inc., parent company of Minnesota Power, a Duluth-based regulated electric utility serving northern Minnesota residential and industrial customers. Under
Minnesota’s Tragedy and the Power of Collective Decency CURE is devastated by the assassination of Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the attempted assassination of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Both families lived lives dedicated to helping others, at the legislature and beyond. We knew Speaker Emerita Hortman as a devoted public
This Is Not Normal Read More »
End of the 2025 Special Session This is the fourth and final CURE Legislative update of the 2025 Session. Check out our previous updates here: Keeping it Real and Rural; CURE’s Cliff Notes; and The Show Must Go On. Just before 2:00 am on Tuesday, June 9th, the Minnesota legislature wrapped up special session, passing all the necessary
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!
