September 25, 2020, marks the one year anniversary of Governor Walz’s announcement of Minnesota Clean Cars Standards. In the year since the announcement, Minnesota has faced an ongoing global pandemic and corresponding economic crisis and is confronting the state’s gaping racial inequities. In spite of these monumental challenges, Minnesota is showing its true resilient spirit […]
A Guide to Minnesota Clean Cars Standards Read More »
Our sixth annual freshwater mussel field day was with MN DNR malacologist, Bernard Sietman. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone as passionate and knowledgeable about mussels as this transplanted Missourian. Since 2002, he has worked across Minnesota surveying mussels. One of the more exciting aspects of his job is the potential discovery of a
Freshwater Mussel Field Day 2020 Read More »
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Wednesday that the State of Minnesota had filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against ExxonMobil, Koch Industries, and the American Petroleum Institute (API). For decades ExxonMobil, the world’s largest oil company, Koch Industries, Minnesota’s largest oil refiner, and API, the national trade association for the oil and gas industry,
Minnesota suing “big oil” over Climate Change lies Read More »
There are many misconceptions about Clean Cars Standards and who will benefit from them. In reality, Minnesota Clean Cars Standards are straight forward measures that will reduce annual climate pollution in Minnesota by up to 2 million tons, help clean up our air, improve our health, increase vehicle choice, and help all Minnesotans be part
Rural Minnesotans Say “Yes” to Clean Cars Read More »
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
An Open Letter: Electric Co-ops Must Lead in the COVID Crisis 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 »
Now that the warmer weather is here, Minnesotans want to get out and connect with nature. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many are wondering if it is safe and what should they expect now that restrictions are being lifted for recreating and camping outdoors. Several agencies and collaborating partners have come together to provide support and
Connecting with the outdoors safely in Minnesota Read More »
As the legislative session wraps up it is important to take a moment and update you on the issues that impact the heart of the work we do at CURE. Despite the challenges of working through the session in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic – we made some forward progress. This work requires coordination
End of MN Legislative Session Update 2020 Read More »
It’s election season for Minnesota’s electric co-ops, and member-owners across the state are casting votes. They are making their voices heard on the future of their utility and its energy system. During a global pandemic and corresponding economic crisis, electric co-op elections carry a new significance. Essential workers and services are finally getting the recognition
It’s Electric Co-op election season and YOUR VOTE is needed! Read More »
On March 31, 2020, the Trump administration released an updated and much weaker version of the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule. The Trump administration’s version of this rule increases greenhouse gas emissions and decreases improvements in fuel economy standards. This move will increase air pollution in our communities, force drivers to spend more at
Trump tailpipe emissions rollback hurts all Minnesotans 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!
