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Devin: What is your superpower?
Jasmine: My superpower is my empathy. More than anything else, I feel deeply, and it drives all of the work that I do.
Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET) is revolutionizing how communities engage with renewable energy. Based in Kingston, New York, MHET empowers residents to access clean energy, reduce energy costs, and improve their homes through innovative programs.
One standout initiative is the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), which provides accessible financing for low-income residents to pursue energy-efficient home upgrades. According to Jasmine Graham, MHET’s executive director, the program was designed to address the barriers residents face. “We heard, ‘I don’t have the time, expertise, or money,’” Jasmine explained. “So, we said, ‘What if we manage the projects for you?’”
The HELP Fund, which supports the program, is unique in offering opportunities for everyday people to invest. “We created an offering that allows accredited and non-accredited investors to join in and invest,” Jasmine shared. “This clean energy transition is happening, but right now, it’s not very accessible to everybody.” Community investors earn a 4 percent return, a recognition of their risk and financial realities, while impact investors receive 3 percent, and mission-aligned philanthropic funds accept no return, prioritizing social impact.
MHET also addresses affordability through its community solar program. Low-income participants can save up to 20 percent on their electricity bills with no upfront costs. “No cost to join, no cost to leave, and the savings continue for 20 years,” Jasmine noted.
By integrating philanthropic partnerships and innovative financial structures, MHET ensures that low-income communities and people of color are not left behind in the clean energy transition. As Jasmine aptly said, “We want to make sure that folks have the financial resources and the time and expertise to make this happen.”
MHET’s work exemplifies the potential for systemic change through community-driven, inclusive solutions. Their impact resonates far beyond Kingston, offering a model for equitable climate action nationwide.
tl;dr:
Mid-Hudson Energy Transition helps communities access renewable energy, lower costs, and strengthen resilience.
Community Choice Aggregation enables bulk renewable energy purchases, saving residents and small businesses money.
The Home Upgrade Grants program addresses structural issues to help low-income families decarbonize their homes.
The HELP Fund allows community members to invest in clean energy with tailored returns and protections.
Empathy and inclusion guide Jasmine Graham’s leadership, ensuring no one is left behind in transitions.
How to Develop Empathy As a Superpower
Jasmine’s superpower is her deep empathy, which enables her to understand and connect with others, driving her leadership and efforts to address complex challenges. Her ability to put herself in others’ shoes inspires her work in creating impactful solutions for communities, ensuring no one is left behind.
Jasmine exemplified her empathy following a disappointing election outcome that deeply affected her climate-focused team. She prioritized their emotional well-being during a staff planning day, emphasizing self-care and resilience. By fostering kindness and compassion, Jasmine demonstrated how empathy can unite and motivate teams to continue pursuing their mission, even in challenging times.
Tips for Developing Empathy as a Strength:
Engage in Conversations: Regularly connect with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to deepen understanding and build relational skills.
Learn About Others: Explore different cultures, life experiences, and issues to develop a broader perspective on humanity.
Practice Vulnerability: Share personal experiences and emotions to create authentic connections and foster mutual empathy.
Reflect on Differences: Recognize that varied upbringings and circumstances shape viewpoints, helping to bridge gaps in understanding.
Build Empathy Like a Muscle: Exercise empathy consistently in everyday interactions to strengthen it over time.
Conclusion:
By following Jasmine Graham’s example and advice, you can make empathy a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Jasmine Graham (she/they):
Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Energy Transition
About Mid-Hudson Energy Transition: Mid-Hudson Energy Transition empowers communities to own and share renewable energy, create healthier buildings, and join in community wealth-building to strengthen the resilience of the Hudson Valley in the face of climate change.
Website: www.mid-hudson.energy
X/Twitter Handle: @midhudsonenergy
Company Facebook Page: fb.com/mid-hudson-energy-transition
Other URL: www.investinhelp.org
Biographical Information: Jasmine (she/they) is an energy justice expert, environmental policy advocate, and published scholar. With extensive experience in designing and implementing community-based renewable energy and building decarbonization programs, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that vulnerable communities have a voice in the clean energy transition. As the Executive Director of Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, Jasmine leads efforts to empower communities through renewable energy ownership, healthier buildings, and wealth-building initiatives. Previously, Jasmine held key roles in advancing cutting-edge energy policy across New York State, including appointments to New York City’s Sustainability Advisory Board and Climate Mobilization Advisory Board under multiple mayoral administrations. In these roles, she guided the development of New York City’s long-term sustainability plan and played a pivotal role in shaping the implementation of Local Law 97, historic legislation for building decarbonization. Jasmine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Sustainability from Bard College.
X/Twitter Handle: @jasminecgraham
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jasmine-c-graham
Instagram Handle: @jasminecgraham
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