Ethanol Plant, Corn, Electric Vehicle

A Midwestern Low Carbon Fuel Standard is Not a Climate Solution

Energy & Innovation Press Releases

On February 1, 2024, four organizations published a Minority Report entitled “A Midwestern Low Carbon Fuel Standard is Not a Climate Solution: Minority Report on the Clean Transportation Standard Work Group Report to the Legislature” in response to the fuels report released by several state agencies and the Clean Transportation Standard (CTS) Work Group. The Minority […]

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Windmill on Prairie

Minnesota weighs in on the meaning of “Clean Energy” as PUC releases draft EIS for segment of proposed CO2 pipeline

CO2 Pipelines, Energy & Innovation Press Releases

Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC or Commission) released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 28-mile Otter Tail to Wilkin Counties segment of Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) proposed 240+ mile carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline network in Minnesota. This begins a 30-day comment period where Minnesotans can weigh in on the clean-energy future

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Fireworks in Night Sky

Light returns. Years turn. Catch up with CURE.

CURE News, Energy & Innovation

Minnesota’s “Carbon-Free Future” & the Myth of Cleaner Fossil Fuels In October, CURE hosted a convening for environmental organizations and activists in Saint Paul entitled “Carbon Capture and Minnesota’s ‘Carbon-Free’ Future.” Joined by experts from across the country, CURE staff delved into the issues of a rapidly expanding carbon capture industry, providing insight as to

Light returns. Years turn. Catch up with CURE. Read More »

EV in Driveway

Northern Exposure: Winter EV Ride & Drive | Ely

CURE News, Energy & Innovation

Minnesota winters, rural roads, and electric vehicles are made for each other! This free in-person event allowed folks to test-drive new EVs in winter conditions during Ely’s annual winter extravaganza. CURE partnered with Drive Electric Minnesota and the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs). Saturday, February 3, 1:30 -4:30 PM as part of Ely’s Winter Festival

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Electric School Bus

Learn more about EPA’s Electric School Bus Rebates and how to apply during upcoming webinars!

Energy & Innovation Press Releases

Montevideo, MN, November 20, 2023 — Schools across Minnesota have a new opportunity to access Electric School Bus funds through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Rebate Program. To help schools and communities learn more about electric school buses, the rebate program, and how to apply, there are two upcoming webinars. The first,

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Old Tractor with American Flag

Farmer Benefit Plan

Energy & Innovation

American agriculture – and small and mid-sized farmers in particular – has an enormous opportunity to build new revenue streams and community wealth through the clean energy transition. Siting of wind turbines, agrivoltaic arrays, and other clean energy investments can bring significant new investment to disinvested rural communities. In a 2020 report, the Rocky Mountain

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CCS Convening

Carbon Capture + Minnesota’s Carbon Free Future

CURE News

At the convening “Carbon Capture and Minnesota’s ‘Carbon-Free’ Future,” CURE and other experts from Minnesota and throughout the U.S. came together for a timely and critical discussion about industry-driven carbon capture, CO2 pipelines, and the false promise of a “cleaner fossil fuel” future. Since 2021, CURE has been at the forefront of the debates surrounding

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Coal Smoke Stacks

CURE and Sierra Club call out DOE’s poor analysis of controversial “Project Tundra”

Energy & Innovation Press Releases

Montevideo MN, September 20, 2023 – Today, CURE and Sierra Club submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) challenging the agency’s environmental analysis and expressed approval of the controversial “Project Tundra,” a proposed large-scale carbon capture and storage project in North Dakota. “The DOE’s plan to spend nearly forty million dollars propping up

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Pipeline with Map Overlay

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Denies Summit CO2 Pipeline Permit Request

Energy & Innovation Press Releases

Montevideo, MN, September 13, 2023 — On September 11th, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (SD PUC) denied Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) application for the company’s proposed CO2 pipeline. The decision was based on concerns raised by four counties that Summit would violate those counties’ setbacks requirements. The setbacks are intended to protect those living

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Denies Summit CO2 Pipeline Permit Request Read More »

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

Envelope Linkedin

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!

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