Latest news with #STEPS
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
U.S. Threatens IEA Withdrawal Over ‘Politicized' Energy Forecasts
Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks with reporters at the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in ... More Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) In a July 15 interview with Bloomberg, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he has told Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), his agency must either reform its forecasting methods or face potential U.S. withdrawal from the organization. This development reflects growing tensions between the Trump administration's energy priorities and the IEA's focus on clean energy transitions. Wright's criticism centers on the IEA's reports and projections, which he and other critics of the agency argue are overly optimistic about renewable energy adoption and fail to adequately prioritize energy security. The debate underscores a broader ideological divide between the U.S. administration and many other western governments over global energy policy and could impact international cooperation and domestic energy strategies. The IEA, established in 1974 to enhance energy security following the first Arab oil embargoes, evolved into a key provider of reliable data and forecasts for industrialized nations to use to help guide energy policy. In recent years, its long-term projections have increasingly incorporated ambitious government policies aimed at transitioning away from fossil fuels, predicting a peak in global oil demand by 2029. This shift in methodology has drawn criticism contending that the agency's forecasts are not reflective of current energy realities, particularly the continued global demand for oil and gas. LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol ... More delivers opening remarks during the Future of Energy Security Summit, hosted by the International Energy Agency and UK Government at Lancaster House on April 24, 2025 in London, England. This Summit examines the geopolitical, technological and economic factors affecting energy security at a national and international level. (Photo by Justin Tallis -) Wright Urges IEA To Put Data Over Ambitions Wright laid out the U.S. position in the Bloomberg interview, stating, 'We will do one of two things: we will reform the way the IEA operates, or we will withdraw.' He expressed a preference for the latter, saying, 'My strong preference is to reform it,' in hopes his discussions with Birol and others can influence a return to the more balanced approach which formerly characterized IEA's modeling approach. Wright's concerns center on the IEA's reliance on models like the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), which assumes governments will implement their clean energy commitments fully and on time. He argues this approach underestimates fossil fuel demand, as evidenced by the IEA's forecast of global oil demand growth at just 700,000 bpd in 2025, the slowest since 2009 outside the COVID-19 period. Wright's comments are consistent with the Trump administration's broader energy agenda, which prioritizes maximizing domestic oil and gas production to bolster energy security and economic growth, and seem likely to slow the growth of alternatives like wind and solar generation and electric vehicles. He contends that the IEA's green-leaning forecasts risk misleading policymakers by downplaying the vital, ongoing role of fossil fuels, which remain critical to meeting global energy needs. As an example, the IEA's Oil 2025 report projects a plateau in oil demand by 2029, driven by electric vehicle adoption and behavioral shifts, a view that contrasts sharply with OPEC's forecast of sustained demand growth through 2050. Wright argues that such discrepancies undermine the IEA's credibility, particularly when its projections influence investment and policy decisions. The Energy Secretary's push for reform includes a call for the IEA to reinstate forecasting models like the Current Policies Scenario (CPS), which focuses on existing policies and energy security without assuming aggressive climate action. 'The agency has predicted that global oil demand will peak in 2029, before the world's energy consumption peaks in 2030, as a result of energy and climate proposals,' Wright noted, disputing the IEA's optimism about the pace of the energy transition, which many experts say has fallen far behind the pace needed to sustain IEA's optimistic view. He believes the CPS would provide a more realistic baseline, aligning with the U.S. view that fossil fuels will remain indispensable for decades. Wright's IEA Criticism Is Consistent With Trump Energy Policies It would likely be naive to assume that Wright's threat of withdrawal is mere talk. In fact, it is entirely consistent with the overall Trump energy policies, as well as the clear shift in U.S. engagement with international energy institutions over the last 6 months. While a move by the U.S. to cancel its contributions to IEA - currently 18% of its overall budget - might risk isolating the U.S. from the prevailing global direction of climate change-related policies, it seems doubtful either Wright or President Donald Trump would regard that as a major concern. The administration has already moved aggressively to stake out a position which diverges from that consensus, which drove the Biden administration's efforts to force the desired energy transition to alternative forms of energy. There also seems to be little reason to believe pressure from international organizations might derail Wright's objectives related to the IEA. The U.S. has its own authoritative agency which analyzes energy markets, the Energy Information Administration, which is housed at Wright's own Department of Energy. To a large extent, the IEA is, for the United States, an expensive redundancy whose inputs would be little missed should Wright's discussions with Birol fail to produce the desired reforms. The IEA At A Crossroads Wright previously criticized IEA's forecasts in late June, calling the agency's projection of peak oil demand by 2029 'nonsensical,' and saying its methodologies have become 'politicized.' In response, a spokesperson for IEA said, 'The IEA welcomes feedback on our work and attaches great importance to our dialogue with the Department of Energy and other branches of the US Government." Wright's latest remarks place Birol and the IEA at a troubling, complex crossroads with no apparent easy solution. Reforming its forecasting to emphasize energy security with a return to previous modeling methods might satisfy the U.S. but could alienate IEA members who remain committed to the prevailing global energy transition narrative. On the other hand, maintaining its current trajectory could lead to a U.S. exit, a deep cut to IEA's budget undermining the agency's global influence. As Wright stated, 'We're not trying to dictate to the world, but we're not going to be part of an organization that's not grounded in reality.' The central argument in which Birol and IEA find themselves caught in the middle, of course, is what that 'reality' really is. Opinions about that vary wildly, and the outcome of this dispute will say much about how the struggling energy transition will evolve into the future. Stay tuned.
Chicago Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
District 204 board approves construction manager contracts for high school renovation projects
The Indian Prairie School District 204 board on Monday approved the district's contracts with two construction management firms which will lead renovation projects at Waubonsie Valley High School, Neuqua Valley High School and the Birkett Center. Pepper Construction Company, based out of Barrington, will be overseeing the Waubonsie Valley project, while Chicago-based construction manager Bulley and Andrews will be handling renovations at Neuqua Valley and Birkett, according to the agreements included in Monday's meeting agenda. This is the latest step in the renovation and construction projects District 204 is undergoing this summer after residents in November voted in support of the district selling up to $420 million in bonds for facility improvements, according to past reporting. Alongside numerous other projects throughout the district being funded by the bond sales, Waubonsie Valley is getting a $7.6 million auditorium upgrade as part of the bond sale-funded renovations, according to past reporting. Neuqua is adding to its existing school building so it can bring freshmen back into the building in 2027, freeing up Birkett — where Neuqua freshman have been attending classes for more than 20 years — to be used for other district programming. At Birkett, the district plans to host STEPS, or Supportive Training Experiences Post-Secondary, the district's job training program for students with special needs, as well as Gail McKinzie High School, which offers a credit recovery program for students, along with other programming and a welcome center. According to a memo in Monday's meeting agenda, the board gave the green light to hire the two firms in May, and the district has since negotiated the contracts, prices and terms for both, as well as had its legal team review and approve the terms. On Monday, those contracts were approved unanimously by the board as part of the meeting's consent agenda. The architect for both projects will be Wight and Company, according to past reporting. The contract with Pepper includes overseeing the multiple-phased renovation throughout Waubonsie and renovation of its athletic stadium. Bulley and Andrews will be leading additions to Neuqua Valley's main entry and additions for new classrooms, renovations of its main hall and several wings in the school and a new synthetic turf field. At Birkett, they'll be managing the renovation of the STEPS and Gail McKinzie centers and the renovations of the welcome center, professional development, career and technical education, STEM and district storage areas.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
STEPS Behavioral Health Announces Grand Opening of Columbia, Maryland Clinic
Bringing high-quality, child-centered Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to the heart of Howard County. COLUMBIA, Md., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- STEPS Behavioral Health is excited to announce the opening of its newest clinic at 8310 Guilford Road, Suite D, Columbia, MD 21046, bringing high-quality, child-centered Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to the heart of Howard County. STEPS currently operates two clinics in Baltimore County and provides in-home therapy throughout the state of Maryland for families with Autistic children. The Columbia clinic will launch with core offerings of ABA therapy programming, designed to support children across a range of developmental needs. Early STEPS : A flexibly scheduled Preschool Prep ABA therapy program for children ages 18 months to 5 years, focused on early intervention and school readiness skills. Summer STEPS : Our seasonal ABA-based camp program is designed for school-aged autistic children who receive ABA services year round. Summer STEPS focuses on building social skills in a fun and structured environment and infuses our campers individualized treatment goals into their program. Social STEPS : A structured evening social skills group for school-aged children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Anxiety, or ADHD, designed to help children improve peer interactions, communication, and confidence. These small groups meet weekly at each of our clinics! Our clients will benefit from a consistent and well-trained team of behavior analysts and RBTs who support their individualized treatment plans. The clinic layout was intentionally designed to allow each child to engage with peers in small pods, enjoy group activities, and participate in messy sensory play. The space includes two beautiful gyms, a media room filled with books and games, and multiple playrooms for natural environment teaching, as well as designated areas for individual learning and quiet sensory breaks. "We're thrilled to join the Howard County community and offer families a trusted resource for developmental and behavioral support," said Erin Stern, Founder and President of STEPS Behavioral Health. "Our team is passionate about creating a fun, nurturing space where autistic children can learn, grow, and thrive. We want our families to feel cared for by our team and know we will be there to support them through their journey." STEPS Columbia is staffed by a dedicated team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), working collaboratively to provide personalized, evidence-based care tailored to each child's unique needs. We are also excited to offer speech and occupational therapy services in collaboration with The Therapy Spot, along with our current services, to help each child reach their full potential. To celebrate the opening, STEPS will host a grand opening at the Columbia location soon, where families and community members are invited to meet the team, tour the clinic, and learn more about available services. For more information about STEPS Columbia or to schedule an ABA therapy intake call, visit or call 443-353-9547 . Media Contact: Bianca EguzoCommunity Liaison 443-353-9547 | office@ | About STEPS Behavioral Health: STEPS Behavioral Health provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy services that help autistic children build foundational skills across communication, behavior, and daily living. Through programs like Early STEPS and Summer STEPS, STEPS empowers children and their families to thrive—one small step at a time. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE STEPS Behavioral Health Sign in to access your portfolio
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Changing lives one step at a time: Celebrating 20 Years of STEPS Clubfoot Care
Clubfoot affects 1 to 2 babies per 1,000 live births worldwide, yet despite its prevalence in Africa, it is completely treatable. Image: Ian Landsberg In a world where a life-changing intervention can mean the difference between mobility and limitation, STEPS Clubfoot Care celebrates two decades of impactful service this Tuesday, 3 June 2025, coinciding with World Clubfoot Day. Since its inception, STEPS has touched the lives of over 12,000 children across South Africa, empowering families and redefining futures through the power of early intervention. Clubfoot, a congenital condition that affects the positioning of a baby's foot, twists it downward and inward, making treatment paramount for the child's future mobility. Every year, at least 2,000 newborns in South Africa are diagnosed with this condition, yet it remains entirely treatable thanks to the Ponseti Method—a non-invasive approach that realigns the foot and provides pain-free mobility for 95% of its patients. Born from a mother's determination to overcome fear and uncertainty, STEPS was founded by Karen Moss in response to her son's clubfoot diagnosis. Struggling with limited treatment options at the time, she discovered the Ponseti Method during a visit to Dr. Ignaçio Ponseti in Iowa, USA. This experience ignited a commitment to ensure no parent in South Africa need to face clubfoot alone. 'No parent should ever feel hopeless after a clubfoot diagnosis,' Karen reflected. 'I wanted to build a local network equipped with the guidance necessary to deliver expert care and tangible results. This commitment still drives STEPS today.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ STEPS Clubfoot Care celebrates two decades of impactful service Image: Ian Landsberg As Southern Africa's only dedicated organisation for clubfoot treatment, STEPS has established a robust network of 48 partner clinics across all provinces, a monumental increase from just a handful in its early days. Healthcare professionals numbering over 2,000 have been trained, ensuring that the message of early diagnosis and treatment resonates on a national level. Beyond statistics, STEPS has powerful stories woven into its tapestry of triumphs. For mom Moreblessing Hurungo, from Mfuleni who gave birth on 23 May 2025, the help received for baby Tanashe is not only a blessing, but also a life changer. "When my child was born, I was very very worried, it was not straight, I didnt know his feet can be fixed, thought he'd live like this forever, I didnt expect this. "Now with his feet, the baby will be able to do everything a normal child can do. I am so happy, he will be fine." Axolile Madolo from the Eastern Cape who faced the harrowing news that her newborn son, Musa, had bilateral clubfoot. 'A wave of fear came over me, the anxiety and thought, of 'what did I do wrong?' "I didn't know what clubfoot was or where to go,' she recalled. But support from STEPS transformed her anxiety into action. Today, 18-month-old Musa is thriving, confidently taking his first steps and enjoying life alongside his siblings. Moreblessing Hurungo and her son Tanashe with Jane Mackinnon, Steps clinic coordinator Image: Ian Landsberg The Hartnicks faced a similar ordeal when their daughter, Kendall, was born with the condition. 'We were clueless about what to do,' admitted her father, Lorenzo. At Tygerberg Hospital's Clubfoot Clinic, the family found a clear treatment path that included casting and bracing. Now, following a successful recovery, two-and-a-half-year-old Kendall runs and plays like any other child, testament to STEPS' dedication and the committed healthcare professionals within its reach. The sustainable, collaborative model that STEPS has developed with state health institutions and the South African Paediatric Orthopaedic Society continues to shift the narrative of clubfoot care in the region. Notably, in 2025 alone, seven new partner clinics were added, reinforcing an impressive 700% growth since 2015. Significantly, STEPS has partnered with leading hospitals like Tygerberg and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in the Western Cape and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Gauteng to enhance care delivery and to ensure children complete the full clubfoot correction process. This collaboration has notably reduced the number of families who abandon treatment midway due to logistical or financial hurdles. 'Awareness can lead to early treatment and full mobility,' said Dr. Marí Thiart, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Tygerberg Hospital, emphasising the vital role of informed caregiving in tackling this common condition.
Eyewitness News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Big US-funded chicken project shuts down in Lesotho
A $31.4 million (about R562-million) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) project aimed at transforming Lesotho's poultry sector has been terminated. The five-year initiative, launched under the American Food for Progress programme, planned to grow 28,000 poultry enterprises in Lesotho, boosting meat production by 40% and egg production by 30% by 2028. Dubbed the Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS), the project was also designed to reduce Lesotho's heavy dependence on imported poultry products by empowering local farmers through access to quality inputs, financial training, and market linkages. The broader aim was to improve food security and increase incomes along the value chain. Announcing the project, the USDA said in 2021 that Lesotho had imported poultry products worth $39-million, with more than 80% of poultry meat sourced from neighbouring countries. The country also imports inputs such as fertile eggs, day-old chicks, livestock feed, services, and veterinary products. In an October 2023 statement, the US Embassy in Maseru said Land O'Lakes Venture37, an American company, had been selected to implement the programme in Lesotho. It partnered with the International Research Institute, the World Poultry Foundation, and the locally based Rural Self-Help Development Association. But less than two years after its launch, the STEPS project has been terminated. Reuters reported earlier this month that the USDA had notified grantees on 14 May 2025 that their Food for Progress awards had been ended. Speaking to GroundUp, Rural Self-Help Managing Director 'Mampho Thulo confirmed the news, saying her organisation had been notified of the decision by its partner Land O'Lakes last week. Land O'Lakes technical advisor Tsoteli Kuleile told GroundUp that the company had been told to suspend the project and to refer all communication to the company's country director, Fidel O' Donovan. However, O' Donovan has not responded to questions sent to him by GroundUp . 'WE DIDN'T SEE IT COMING' Thulo said their association had been worried after the US withdrew funding from other initiatives, such as USAID and PEPFAR projects, and the recent R6-billion Millennium Challenge Account. However, she had believed agricultural projects would be spared. 'We still had our fears, but we were over 90% confident that it would not be terminated… We thought they would be careful not to cut agriculture grants, especially those that transform agricultural products,' Thulo said. She said the STEPS project was still in its early stages. A training curriculum for farmers was being finalised and tenders were being prepared for construction projects. According to Thulo, Rural Self-Help was responsible for a $1.2-million budget under the STEPS project. The sudden halt has left thousands of poultry farmers in limbo. While Land O'Lakes focused on national-level commercial farming, Rural Self-Help was actively engaged with grassroots farmers across seven districts, according to Thulo. The targeted districts were Botha Bothe, Leribe, Berea, Maseru, Mafeteng, Mohale's Hoek, and Quthing, with Rural Self-Help focusing on broiler and egg layer production. In those districts, Thulo said the organisation was working with farmers ranging from those raising chickens for subsistence to farmers keeping 500 chickens. 'The plan was to support 23,000 to 28,000 businesses by 2028,' she added. Thulo said she had to break the news to beneficiaries. 'This beautiful project, meant to transform your poultry enterprises, is no more. We are shocked, and the farmers are shocked too.' The association plans to meet with farmer representatives this week to chart a path forward. Thulo said more than 10 staff members had been sent home. Limpho Salai, chairperson of the Basotho Poultry Farmers Association, whose members were primary beneficiaries of the project, told GroundUp that Land O'Lakes technical advisor Kuleile had instructed him not to speak to the media and to refer all inquiries to him. GroundUp asked for comment from the US Embassy in Maseru but no response had been received by the time of publication. Previously, the Embassy has referred similar inquiries to the US foreign affairs administration in Washington.
