Rural Electric Co-op Scorecard

Scorecard 2023: Minnesota’s RECs are moving in the right direction and still need to take key steps to inform and engage members better 

Energy & Innovation

RECs make a 93% improvement! Minnesota’s rural electric cooperatives (REC) are starting to heed the call to improve member-owner engagement through enhanced transparency. This is a significantly different place than RECs were in 2018 when CURE began to measure and track co-op governance and transparency policies via the REC Scorecard.   What’s new:  The 2023 iteration […]

Scorecard 2023: Minnesota’s RECs are moving in the right direction and still need to take key steps to inform and engage members better  Read More »

USC Land Back Meeting

Upper Sioux Agency State Park land transfer meeting — Many gather to share and learn more

People & Communities

Minnesotans from around the region traveled to Granite Falls to learn more about the proposed land transfer of Upper Sioux Agency State Park back to the Dakota people  Area residents encouraged to be on the “right side” of history moving forward  On the evening of Wednesday, April 5, several hundred people gathered in Granite Falls

Upper Sioux Agency State Park land transfer meeting — Many gather to share and learn more Read More »

Rise + Repair Marchers at the State Capitol

Marching for the 2023 Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice platform

CURE News, People & Communities

Rise & Repair Rally brings 200+ people to the Minnesota State Capitol on February 15th 200+ activists ask their legislators to center indigenous rights and climate justice in the transition to renewable energy What does a clean energy future look like to you? Affordable electricity with no more mass shut-offs right before winter? Smog-fee skies

Marching for the 2023 Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice platform Read More »

CO2 Pipeline Map

CURE says PUC “got it wrong”— Petitions for reconsideration on scope of Environmental Review for CO2 pipeline

Energy & Innovation Press Releases

CURE (Clean Up the River Environment) is arguing that there is nothing hypothetical about Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) plans for an extensive CO2 pipeline network in Minnesota. On Monday, February 27, Montevideo-based CURE petitioned the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reconsider its February 6, 2023, decision to deny CURE’s Citizen Petition for environmental review

CURE says PUC “got it wrong”— Petitions for reconsideration on scope of Environmental Review for CO2 pipeline Read More »

100% Clean Energy MN

100% Clean Energy MN

CURE News, Energy & Innovation

The 100% Clean Energy Act sets Minnesota on the path of clean and renewable energy that will save Minnesotans money, increase electric grid reliability, and create good rural jobs. We are protecting and preserving what we love most about Minnesota and looking out for our kids and grandkids. 100% Clean Electricity from the sun and

100% Clean Energy MN Read More »

Heavy Equipment digging a Pipeline

CURE applauds PUC decision requiring environmental review for CO2 pipeline but troubled by limited scope

Energy & Innovation Press Releases, People & Communities Press Releases

On Thursday, January 5, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) unanimously voted to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as a necessary component of the permitting process for Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline. In doing so, the PUC denied Summit’s attempt to fast-track the review process of its hazardous CO2 pipeline project

CURE applauds PUC decision requiring environmental review for CO2 pipeline but troubled by limited scope Read More »

Fairgrounds from above

Historic Wins and Hot Debates

CURE News

Over the last two months, there have been major developments and milestones in CURE work in rural communities and the energy future of the state and country–and we’ve been making headlines.  Historic wins for Rural Electric Co-ops in the Inflation Reduction Act  CURE’s work around Rural Electric Co-ops had a huge win in August with

Historic Wins and Hot Debates Read More »

Limbo Creek

Minnesota Supreme Court affirms Limbo Creek in Renville County is a protected public water

Land & Water Press Releases, People & Communities Press Releases

In a late September ruling, the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed that Limbo Creek, the last free-flowing stream in Renville County, is a protected public water. This ruling means that any drainage projects for the creek must go through an environmental review. CURE (Clean Up the River Environment), a Montevideo-based rural organization, applauds this ruling as

Minnesota Supreme Court affirms Limbo Creek in Renville County is a protected public water Read More »

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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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!