M&T Bank Announces $50,000 Donation to The HELP Fund

M&T Bank has announced a $50,000 donation to Kingston, NY-based nonprofit Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET) for its HELP Fund, which is designed to help low-income households in Kingston make energy-efficient and health and safety improvements to their homes.

Founded in 2021, MHET created its HELP Fund to fuel the Home Energy Loan Program. This program provides ultra-low-interest loans to help residents finance home improvements that lower their energy bills, improve indoor air quality, and boost climate resilience.

M&T Bank continues to take an active role across the communities it serves, including the Hudson Valley. In 2024, M&T employees in the Hudson Valley spent more than 2,760 hours of their time volunteering across the region. Additionally, the M&T Charitable Foundation provided $395,000 in grants and $130,600 in community sponsorships within the Hudson Valley region.

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“M&T Bank’s success is intertwined with the success of our communities as we are deeply connected to the neighborhoods we serve. We take pride in living, working, volunteering, and investing in the vibrant cities and towns that make the Hudson Valley special,” said LaKendra McNair, Head of Climate Resilient Communities, M&T Bank. “Programs like the Mid-Hudson Energy Transition’s HELP Fund are instrumental in helping local homeowners make energy efficiency upgrades, reducing their energy bills, and paving the way for stronger, more resilient communities.”

“We are deeply grateful to M&T Bank for their generous support of our HELP Fund. This donation helps us do what matters most—get essential home repairs to the people who need them, so families can live healthier lives and save money in the process,” said Jasmine Graham, Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Energy Transition. “At MHET, we say ‘Support Your Neighbors’ Future’ because that’s what it takes. Real transformation happens when we show up for each other and invest in our communities.”

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Emiliano appears on Radio INTER Activa Oficial

Curious about how community solar can lower your electric bill without installing panels on your roof? Our Outreach Manager, Emiliano Malizia, breaks it all down in this new video from Radio INTER Activa. They break down what it is, who’s eligible, and how it helps bring clean energy to more people in our community (in Spanish and Q’eqchi’!)

When you sign up for community solar, you subscribe to a share of a local solar farm and get credits on your utility bill—saving you money and supporting renewable energy! Nothing is ever put on your roof.

Mid-Hudson Energy Transition recently announced our participation in a new solar project being developed in the Catskills. This project will save participating Central Hudson customers up to 20% on their utility bills every month! To learn more and sign up, visit the link below!

SIGN UP FOR COMMUNITY SOLAR!

Turning up the Heat!

Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET), in partnership with the City of Kingston, is proud to announce the first installation of an induction stove as part of their 2025 Energy Efficiency Campaign. This campaign is designed to help income-eligible Kingston residents improve their home’s energy efficiency and live healthier lives—all at no cost to them. 

MHET met with Kingston Mayor, Steve Noble, as local Kingston contractor, Hot Water Solutions (HWS), installed an induction stove in Kingston homeowner Kofi Boundy’s house on March 3, 2025. Boundy was awarded a state of the art Energy Star induction stove and a set of compatible cookware, becoming the first of several residents MHET plans to equip with these appliances. 

This initiative is funded by the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. With a total budget of $250,000, MHET is aiming to help as many households as possible. Throughout 2025, MHET will be distributing induction stoves, heat pump water heaters, and portable heat pumps to income-eligible homeowners. 

“The overwhelming amount of interest we have received in this program proves just how much Kingston residents want practical, affordable solutions for healthier, more energy-efficient homes,” said Jasmine Graham, Executive Director at Mid-Hudson Energy Transition. “With this first installation, we’re not just swapping out an old stove—we’re setting a new standard for what’s possible. Families shouldn’t have to choose between safe, modern appliances and their monthly bills. We’re making real, practical improvements in their homes—at no cost to them—and we’re just getting started.” 

Mayor Steve Noble expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are so pleased to support this important initiative with American Rescue Plan Act funding, and help residents in Kingston transition to more energy-efficient appliances and away from natural gas. It is gratifying to see the first installation into a home, and to help this family save money on utility bills, create a safer home environment, and move toward a more sustainable future.” 

Boundy was elated with the efficiency of the installation and the ease of the application process. “I am super appreciative, thank you, Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, for making this happen! I’m excited to get a meal in here tonight!” 

This program is open to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households in Kingston and households with seniors or young children, residents facing high energy bills or utility debt, and renters who pay their own utility bills (need landlord approval) are especially encouraged to apply. 

To see if you are eligible, please complete MHET’s interest form. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all appliances have been matched with eligible residents. Although those interested in induction stoves will be added to a waitlist, residents are encouraged to express their interest in Heat Pump Water Heaters and Portable Heat Pumps in advance of their availability. Interest forms can be found here.

Power to the People: Exploring Public Utility Ownership in the Hudson Valley

Something’s gotta give. Central Hudson customers have been dealing with skyrocketing rates, billing chaos, and a total lack of accountability. Thousands of people have been overcharged, and instead of real solutions, we keep getting excuses. But what if we didn’t have to rely on a private utility that puts profits over people?

That’s exactly what New York State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha is pushing for in the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act—a plan to take Central Hudson into public ownership and create a utility that actually works for the people it serves. She breaks it all down in a recent episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, hosted by John Farrell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

The vision? A public utility that prioritizes affordability, clean energy, and energy democracy. No more profit-hungry investors calling the shots—just a system designed to serve us, the residents of the Hudson Valley. A publicly owned utility could access tax-exempt financing, cut out unnecessary fees, and focus on reliable, affordable, and renewable energy for all.

This isn’t just an idea—it’s a movement. If we want energy that is just, affordable, and sustainable, we have to demand it.

Listen to the full podcast episode here and join the fight for energy democracy in the Hudson Valley.

MHET Publishes Their First Annual Impact Report

MHET is thrilled to share our first annual Impact Report! This report marks a significant milestone for our organization as we reflect on the progress we have made, the challenges we have overcome, and the meaningful impact we are creating together.

This report highlights the measurable results and stories that demonstrate our commitment to our community, partners, and program participants.

This report is more than just numbers; it’s a testament to the collective effort of our team, partners, and supporters like you. We invite you to explore the report, celebrate these accomplishments, and join us as we continue to make a difference.

Read the full Impact Report here: MHET 2024 Impact Report

Thank you for being a part of our journey. With your continued support, we’ll keep pushing forward — together!

Jasmine Graham Presents Equitable Decarbonization in Practice

Over the summer, our Executive Director, Jasmine Graham, presented Equitable Decarbonization in Practice, a master class on the innovative ways Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET) is financing electrification retrofits for low-income households through our Home Upgrade Grants (HUG) Program and soon-to-come Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). This video is generously provided by Redwood Energy from their 16th Zero Carbon Retreat. To learn more about the HUG Program or the HELP Fund, follow the links below!

mid-hudson.energy/hug

investinhelp.org

MHET Launches the HELP Fund

Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET) is thrilled to announce the launch of the HELP Fund,  a groundbreaking green community investment fund that offers an innovative solution to the challenge of rapidly and equitably decarbonizing New York State’s housing stock.

The HELP Fund opens its doors to investors of all income and investment experience levels, empowering everyday New Yorkers to invest in the clean energy transition and contribute to positive climate, health, and housing justice outcomes in their local community. The capital raised by the Fund will be used to provide low-income households with accessible, low-interest financing – set at just 2% – to sustainably retrofit their homes, lowering their energy bills and reducing their carbon footprint. 

To celebrate the launch of the HELP Fund, MHET hosted a press conference on September 30, 2024. Those in attendance included Kingston Mayor, Steve Noble, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Ulster County Legislator Chris Hewitt, members of the press, and the MHET team. 

Ulster County Legislator, Chris Hewitt, expressed his support at the press conference stating: “The reason my wife and I decided to invest is because of how easy it is to make a good return on your money on a great fund. This is setting an example of a regenerative economy where we are using our money to keep it local. I’m actually moving money from Wall Street to invest in this fund because when you invest in Wall Street, you’re investing in extractive businesses that are removing money from our communities.”

The HELP Fund has the power to transform our neighborhoods, uplift our communities, and ensure that no one is left behind in the clean energy transition. The HELP Fund is piloting in Kingston, but the HELP Fund is scalable, replicable, and built to bring long-lasting impact across New York and beyond.

If you’d like to learn more about the HELP Fund or make an investment, visit www.investinhelp.org.