Minnesota is racing to keep up with a surge in hyperscale data center proposals, but does its “nation-leading” 2025 law adequately protect communities? CURE breaks down what the current laws actually do—and don’t—on taxes, energy costs, and water use, and why more action is still needed.
The Fine Print: Where Minnesota’s Data Center Law Falls Short Read More »
The Federal government has recently released documents indicating that they plan to reopen the now-shuttered Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, MN, a 1,600-bed prison owned by private prison company CoreCivic, as an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. Minnesotans saw this winter how ICE and its detention network are being used to systematically
Say NO to an Appleton ICE Detention Center Read More »
CURE is disappointed and alarmed that plans to reopen the Appleton, MN, prison as an ICE detention center appear to be moving forward. We saw this winter how ICE and its detention network are being used to systematically deprive people of their rights, often without regard to legal status. The Trump administration’s push for a
CURE Opposes ICE Detention Plans in Appleton Read More »
They Didn’t Get It Done. We’re Just Getting Started. 🏛 ✊ Minnesota lawmakers wrapped up a contentious session without passing meaningful energy or environmental policy despite strong public pressure. CURE’s legislative priorities—responsible data center standards, better pipeline planning, and zero waste policies—fell short this year, even with bipartisan support. Frustrating? Absolutely. But it’s not the end of the story. CURE and our partners built momentum,
MN Legislative Session Wrap 🏛 + Board Director Jenna! 👋 + Grassroots Voices 📣 Read More »
2026 Minnesota Legislative Session Review Minnesota Legislators just wrapped up the session, marking the end of an at-times contentious 2025-2026 biennium. Despite strong efforts from advocates, the legislature was ultimately unable to come to agreement on almost any energy and environmental proposals. “If we don’t fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at
They Didn’t Get It Done. We’re Just Getting Started. Read More »
MN Legislature “Kicking the Can” on Data Center Action 👎 The 2026 legislative session ends May 18. CURE and partners have been pushing for a robust framework for hyperscale data centers—so Minnesotans get the final say on if these facilities are approved, where they are built, and how they impact water, power bills, and communities. While anything can happen in the waning weeks of session, prospects for putting the
MN Leg Kicking the Can 👎 + Crippling the Forest Service 🌲 + Earth Day 🌎 Read More »
In late March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a plan to reorganize the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The proposal would shut down research labs, break the Forest Service into a disjointed state‑by‑state system, and move its headquarters to Utah — far away from Congressional oversight and other science-based agencies it’s supposed to work with.
Only You Can Prevent the U.S. Forest Service Reorganization Dumpster Fire Read More »
Community encouraged to attend MPCA Public Hearing in Morris on April 28 The push to “get big or get out” in farming has left its mark on rural Minnesota. In the last two years alone, 1,300 farms have gone out of business across the state, while large corporate operations have continued to expand. Now, Riverview LLP, one of
“How Big Is Too Big?” Minnesotans Demand Environmental Review of Mega Dairy Read More »
This week, Legislators returned from their spring break, marking the unofficial start to the second half of the session. First and second deadlines—the day by which a bill is supposed to be through its necessary committees—have passed, and attention will start turning to fiscal priorities and omnibus bills. Check out our Legislative Preview for more information! Here’s how CURE’s top
Talking Big, Moving Slow: A Mid‑Session Legislative Check Read More »
Public Need! Not Big Oil Greed! 🛢️ CURE is working with MN allies to improve laws around big oil pipelines in our state. This bill (HF 4377/SF 4554) would add needed clarity to our existing policies so that any company seeking a Certificate of Need in Minnesota for an oil pipeline would provide a forecast of demand
Need NOT Greed 🛢️ + Even Robots Need Rules 🤖 + Too Fast Too Furious 💧 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 American Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, canning local produce, and making kombucha.
