This is the second CURE Legislative update of 2025. Stay tuned for periodic updates at key points during the Session, which officially ends on Monday, May 19th. It’s been two months since Minnesota legislators assembled at the Capitol for the start of session, and after a halting start, we now have a better idea of […]
CURE’s Cliffs Notes on the First Act of MN’s 2025 Legislative Session Read More »
*99.9% of the tax credits are claimed by massive oil and gas interests. Carbon capture is the most expensive, least effective climate mitigation strategy. Last week, I traveled to the Capitol with a small but determined group of Minnesotans: landowners, farmers, and community members who are experiencing the threats posed by the carbon capture
CO2 Pipeline Resistance to Congress: Cut the Waste, Repeal 45Q Read More »
Updated maps show new pipeline leg in Chippewa, Kandiyohi & Swift Counties On March 13, CURE, a rural advocacy organization based out of Montevideo, filed an appeal to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) arguing that the decision to grant Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC a permit for 28-miles of CO2 pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties
CURE Seeks Reconsideration of CO2 Pipeline Permit in MN Read More »
Saint Paul, MN, March 13, 2025 —Today, Minnesota-based rural advocacy organization, CURE, filed an appeal to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) arguing that the decision to grant Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC a permit for 28-miles of CO2 pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkins Counties is “inconsistent with [Minnesota’s] pipeline routing statutes and rules.” “We
CURE Seeks Reconsideration of CO2 Pipeline Permit in MN Read More »
In 2024, Minnesota passed a new law called the Packaging Waste & Cost Reduction Act. This makes Minnesota only the fifth state in the U.S. to have a special law for packaging and paper products. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, which was created by the law, aims to make companies that manufacture packaging more
CURE’s Maggie Schuppert Named to Extended Producer Responsibility Packaging Board Read More »
As Minnesota’s political landscape faces uncertainty, CURE remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for rural communities and their vital interests at the state legislature. Here are the top issues CURE will be working on this year at the legislature: Defending our Wins: In 2023, Minnesota passed the “100% Law,” which requires all utilities* to
Keeping it Rural and Real amid Capitol Chaos Read More »
CURE and community members express anger and disappointment at the decision On Thursday, December 12th, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted the route permit for Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties. However, the PUC placed a number of conditions on the permit, including prohibiting Summit from
PUC approves first CO2 pipeline permit in MN, with conditions Read More »
Montevideo, MN, November 12, 2024—Last week saw two important if contradictory decisions related to Summit Carbon Solutions LLC’s controversial $8.9-billion carbon-capture pipeline project. One moves the CO2 pipeline one step forward in securing the permit for its proposed 28-mile segment in Minnesota. At the same time, the other is a major electoral setback in South
The 2024 election results are in, and they’ll have big impacts for all of us. Despite the uncertainty we can promise one thing: our work to protect Minnesota’s outdoors and our rural communities moves forward with fortitude and urgency. For 33 years, CURE has served Minnesota, and we’re not going anywhere. We’ve faced tough times
Moving Forward Together Read More »
2024 Minnesota Legislative Session There were so many wins for Minnesotans and our landscapes this year—see CURE’s 2024 Legislative Wrap Up here! From stronger water protections and distributed clean energy support to stopping the Clean Transportation Standard (CTS) yet again and securing critical safeguards within a challenging permitting reform bill, CURE made sure rural communities’
CURE’s Wins and Work in 2024 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!
