Tag: 3BL

Three Points to Remember

1. Modern software is built from thousands of interconnected components – one compromised part can put entire systems at risk.
    
2. Software supply chain attacks are rising because they let attackers infiltrate many targets at once, often undetected.
    
3. Practices like SBOMs, secure-by-design development and zero trust principles are essential for building safer digital ecosystems.

Why the software supply chain matters 

When most people think about cybersecurity, they picture stolen passwords, hacked accounts or phishing emails with malicious links. These threats are easy to imagine, but behind the scenes, a larger and more complex battle is being fought. A battle that targets the software supply chain. Software is made of countless components created by different people, teams and organizations. If even one of those components is compromised, everything built on top of it is at risk.

Imagine preparing dinner with ingredients from the grocery store. You trust the flour isn’t contaminated, the vegetables are fresh, and the packaging hasn’t been tampered with. Software works the same way. Applications are assembled from thousands of elements – open-source libraries, third-party services, cloud tools and automated updates. Each of those elements, if altered by a malicious actor, becomes a potential entry point into systems that millions of people depend on every day.

Securing the software supply chain starts with protecting individual components, and it adds up to safeguarding the foundation of our digital world.

Why everyone should care

The software supply chain is a web of interconnected parts, each dependent on the other. When even one part is compromised, the entire system is at risk. From power grids, hospitals, smartphones, banking apps and even home appliances the software we rely on every day is built from networks of contributors spanning the globe. The 2025 Verizon Data Breach Report states that in 2025 alone, data breaches involving third-party software doubled, accounting for 30% of all breaches. These breaches cost an average of $4.4 million each, according to the 2025 IBM Cost of a Breach Report, highlighting the financial and reputational damage organizations face.

By strengthening these digital supply lines, we’re safeguarding the systems that keep society running. It’s one of the most important cybersecurity challenges of our time, and one that increasingly affects us all.

The hidden risks in software supply chains

In recent years, cyberattacks have shifted focus targeting the “upstream” part of the process rather than attacking victims directly. Why break into one organization when you can quietly compromise a piece of software that thousands rely on?

This strategy gives attackers enormous leverage. If they inject malicious code into an update or modify a widely used open-source component, every user who installs it becomes part of the blast radius. These attacks are stealthy, difficult to detect, and often remain hidden for months, only coming to light long after the damage is done. The consequences can be devastating, impacting countless organizations and the systems millions of people depend on every day.

Why the problem is growing

Three trends make software supply chains especially vulnerable:

• Dependence on open-source software: Open-source is essential to modern development because it is fast, flexible and free. However, it is maintained by a patchwork of global volunteers, not all of whom have the time or resources to monitor for threats.
• Automation at scale: Automatic build systems and update pipelines make development fast, but if those pipelines are compromised, malicious changes can spread instantly.
• Sheer complexity: A single application may use hundreds of libraries of code, each depending on dozens more. No single developer can inspect every line of code in the stack.

Building a more trustworthy software ecosystem 

The good news is that, while supply chain attacks are sophisticated, defending against them doesn’t require everyone to become a cybersecurity expert. Instead, organizations are embracing a set of practical, commonsense strategies to make the ecosystem safer.

One major shift is the rise of software bills of materials (SBOMs). SBOMs are essentially ingredient labels for software. Just as food labels help you track allergens or additives, SBOMs help teams see exactly what components are in their software and whether any are vulnerable.

Organizations are also increasing their investment in zero trust, operating on the principle that no component — no matter how familiar — escapes verification. Every dependency, connection and update must be verified.

Building a resilient future with Leidos

Leidos offers advanced solutions, like ARMOR, that provide continuous risk intelligence, AI-native predictive insights and actionable strategies to mitigate threats before they escalate. Our tools help organizations map their software dependencies, identify hidden risks and prioritize vulnerabilities based on real-world exploitability. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and automation, we streamline assessments and enhance visibility, helping security teams act decisively.

Through collaboration and innovation, Leidos is committed to transforming how organizations approach software supply chain security. Whether it’s advocating for digitally signed SBOMs, enhancing threat detection, or driving accountability, we provide the expertise and technology needed to build a resilient future. Leidos helps our partners gain visibility into their third-party software and helps modernize their IT environments, so they are ready to withstand the challenges of tomorrow.

Leidos’ VP of Defensive Cyber, Josh Salmanson, recently sat down with MeriTalk to have a conversation about the future of supply chain security. Check out Upstream Attacks, Downstream Risk: How Agencies are Hardening the Federal Supply Chain to learn more. 

Three Points to Remember

1. Modern software is built from thousands of interconnected components – one compromised part can put entire systems at risk.
    
2. Software supply chain attacks are rising because they let attackers infiltrate many targets at once, often undetected.
    
3. Practices like SBOMs, secure-by-design development and zero trust principles are essential for building safer digital ecosystems.

Why the software supply chain matters 

When most people think about cybersecurity, they picture stolen passwords, hacked accounts or phishing emails with malicious links. These threats are easy to imagine, but behind the scenes, a larger and more complex battle is being fought. A battle that targets the software supply chain. Software is made of countless components created by different people, teams and organizations. If even one of those components is compromised, everything built on top of it is at risk.

Imagine preparing dinner with ingredients from the grocery store. You trust the flour isn’t contaminated, the vegetables are fresh, and the packaging hasn’t been tampered with. Software works the same way. Applications are assembled from thousands of elements – open-source libraries, third-party services, cloud tools and automated updates. Each of those elements, if altered by a malicious actor, becomes a potential entry point into systems that millions of people depend on every day.

Securing the software supply chain starts with protecting individual components, and it adds up to safeguarding the foundation of our digital world.

Why everyone should care

The software supply chain is a web of interconnected parts, each dependent on the other. When even one part is compromised, the entire system is at risk. From power grids, hospitals, smartphones, banking apps and even home appliances the software we rely on every day is built from networks of contributors spanning the globe. The 2025 Verizon Data Breach Report states that in 2025 alone, data breaches involving third-party software doubled, accounting for 30% of all breaches. These breaches cost an average of $4.4 million each, according to the 2025 IBM Cost of a Breach Report, highlighting the financial and reputational damage organizations face.

By strengthening these digital supply lines, we’re safeguarding the systems that keep society running. It’s one of the most important cybersecurity challenges of our time, and one that increasingly affects us all.

The hidden risks in software supply chains

In recent years, cyberattacks have shifted focus targeting the “upstream” part of the process rather than attacking victims directly. Why break into one organization when you can quietly compromise a piece of software that thousands rely on?

This strategy gives attackers enormous leverage. If they inject malicious code into an update or modify a widely used open-source component, every user who installs it becomes part of the blast radius. These attacks are stealthy, difficult to detect, and often remain hidden for months, only coming to light long after the damage is done. The consequences can be devastating, impacting countless organizations and the systems millions of people depend on every day.

Why the problem is growing

Three trends make software supply chains especially vulnerable:

• Dependence on open-source software: Open-source is essential to modern development because it is fast, flexible and free. However, it is maintained by a patchwork of global volunteers, not all of whom have the time or resources to monitor for threats.
• Automation at scale: Automatic build systems and update pipelines make development fast, but if those pipelines are compromised, malicious changes can spread instantly.
• Sheer complexity: A single application may use hundreds of libraries of code, each depending on dozens more. No single developer can inspect every line of code in the stack.

Building a more trustworthy software ecosystem 

The good news is that, while supply chain attacks are sophisticated, defending against them doesn’t require everyone to become a cybersecurity expert. Instead, organizations are embracing a set of practical, commonsense strategies to make the ecosystem safer.

One major shift is the rise of software bills of materials (SBOMs). SBOMs are essentially ingredient labels for software. Just as food labels help you track allergens or additives, SBOMs help teams see exactly what components are in their software and whether any are vulnerable.

Organizations are also increasing their investment in zero trust, operating on the principle that no component — no matter how familiar — escapes verification. Every dependency, connection and update must be verified.

Building a resilient future with Leidos

Leidos offers advanced solutions, like ARMOR, that provide continuous risk intelligence, AI-native predictive insights and actionable strategies to mitigate threats before they escalate. Our tools help organizations map their software dependencies, identify hidden risks and prioritize vulnerabilities based on real-world exploitability. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and automation, we streamline assessments and enhance visibility, helping security teams act decisively.

Through collaboration and innovation, Leidos is committed to transforming how organizations approach software supply chain security. Whether it’s advocating for digitally signed SBOMs, enhancing threat detection, or driving accountability, we provide the expertise and technology needed to build a resilient future. Leidos helps our partners gain visibility into their third-party software and helps modernize their IT environments, so they are ready to withstand the challenges of tomorrow.

Leidos’ VP of Defensive Cyber, Josh Salmanson, recently sat down with MeriTalk to have a conversation about the future of supply chain security. Check out Upstream Attacks, Downstream Risk: How Agencies are Hardening the Federal Supply Chain to learn more. 

In every project and interaction, we are committed to embodying the values that define who we are, combining our skills and resources to create a positive, lasting, and responsible impact on both society and the environment.
 

Our Vision

Driven by responsibility, transparency and integrity, we empower our people to innovate and create hygiene solutions that make everyday life tidier, cleaner, more convenient, safe and enjoyable, enriching the lives of our customers, employees, partners, shareholders and the community

Loyalty and Transparency

We act with fairness, sharing responsibilities and goals. We engage with transparency to build trust-based relationships, both within and outside the company.

Pragmatism and Foresight

We are practical, yet future-oriented. Every decision strikes a balance between today’s needs and the long-term well-being and sustainability.

Humility and Courage


We face every challenge with ambition and a strong sense of responsibility, valuing every contribution. Humility guides us with respect; courage drives us to improve.

Innovation and Quality

We innovate to simplify, enhance, and respect. We deliver hygiene solutions that improve everyday life, ensuring high standards while remaining mindful of our impact on the world.

Learn more about our 2026 values and sustainability commitments 

In every project and interaction, we are committed to embodying the values that define who we are, combining our skills and resources to create a positive, lasting, and responsible impact on both society and the environment.
 

Our Vision

Driven by responsibility, transparency and integrity, we empower our people to innovate and create hygiene solutions that make everyday life tidier, cleaner, more convenient, safe and enjoyable, enriching the lives of our customers, employees, partners, shareholders and the community

Loyalty and Transparency

We act with fairness, sharing responsibilities and goals. We engage with transparency to build trust-based relationships, both within and outside the company.

Pragmatism and Foresight

We are practical, yet future-oriented. Every decision strikes a balance between today’s needs and the long-term well-being and sustainability.

Humility and Courage


We face every challenge with ambition and a strong sense of responsibility, valuing every contribution. Humility guides us with respect; courage drives us to improve.

Innovation and Quality

We innovate to simplify, enhance, and respect. We deliver hygiene solutions that improve everyday life, ensuring high standards while remaining mindful of our impact on the world.

Learn more about our 2026 values and sustainability commitments 

What happens when a 75-year-old manufacturer decides that sustainability isn’t a department – it’s the business itself? In this episode of the iMasons Podcast, Romain Tranchant sits down with Burt Fealing, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Sustainability Officer at Southwire.

Together, Tranchant and Fealing explore how North America’s largest wire and cable manufacturer is rewiring its operations for a low-carbon future. They talk about what it really takes to align Southwire’s five tenets of sustainability with commercial reality, how to trace embodied carbon all the way back to the mine, and what happens when transparency meets tough internal resistance.

“We’re not just operating for the next quarter or the next few years. We’re thinking about the next 100 years. Sustainability is a long-term story that our shareholders want to make sure we get right. It’s about engaging the next generation of shareholders, the next generation of team members, and the next generation of customers who are making the buying decisions.”

Burt shares lessons from Southwire’s carbon reduction journey, the breakthroughs that worked, and the strategies that didn’t. It’s a conversation about leadership under pressure, the courage to publish real data, and how sustainability becomes transformative only when it stops being convenient. If you want to hear what sustainability looks like when it’s lived, not just written, this episode is for you.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/INx5pNOi99A

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/27-can-esg-outweigh-profit-a-real-talk-with/id1798207838?i=1000739172430

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pSgSj8d8tFSHOoryZalCX?si=_lVSOiSOQpWSmKvkc1-JZg

DAVIDSON, N.C., February 3, 2026 /3BL/ – Trane® – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, is launching a range of groundbreaking innovations in early 2026. Developed to advance electrified heating, boost energy efficiency, and unlock smarter building operations, these solutions provide building owners and operators with advanced technologies to reduce carbon emissions and lead the transition to a more sustainable future.

“At Trane, our commitment to sustainability drives our relentless pursuit of innovation,” said Chris Tanaka, Vice President of Product Management, Trane Technologies. “We are providing our customers with highly efficient, reliable, and scalable solutions that meet the demands of today and tomorrow, proving that sustainable choices and operational excellence go hand-in-hand. This is unstoppable innovation in action, delivering a clear and practical pathway to decarbonization for commercial buildings.”

These groundbreaking innovations include:

Trane Cloud

Trane Cloud is a secure, unified digital platform that brings together building data, analytics, applications, and services into one seamless experience, enabling operators, facility teams, and energy managers to run their buildings more efficiently and sustainably. By replacing fragmented systems with a single intelligent data foundation, Trane Cloud delivers portfolio level visibility, actionable insights, and prioritized recommendations that streamline operations, improve reliability, and reduce energy and operational costs.

Cloud BMS, Powered by BrainBox AI

Cloud BMS, Powered by BrainBox AI, is Trane’s native building management platform designed to help customers monitor, optimize and control their building systems. By providing real-time visibility into HVAC performance, energy use, and equipment health, Cloud BMS enables more efficient operations and proactive maintenance. Its intuitive interface, secure remote access, and scalable architecture make it ideal for multisite portfolios and organizations seeking to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and enhance occupant comfort through data driven insights.

Series R Helical Rotary Screw High-Temperature Heat Pump Chiller (Model RTZA)

The new Series R Helical Rotary Screw High-Temperature Heat Pump Chiller (Model RTZA) marks a significant step forward in sustainable heating. It revolutionizes heating systems by delivering hot water temperatures of up to 210°F – the highest of any helical rotary screw heat pump chiller in North America. Built on the proven and reliable Series R™ platform, this innovation is ideal for high-temperature commercial and industrial process heating needs.

Air to Water Thermafit™ Modular Heat Pump System

The all-electric Air to Water Thermafit™ Modular Heat Pump System delivers outstanding efficiency, offering seamless integration and scalability to meet a broad range of building requirements. Its flexible design enables precise right-sizing for current operational needs while supporting scalable expansion for future growth.

The system works in conjunction with the new Thermafit™ Modular Air-to-Water Heat Pump Chillers (Model AXM) and Thermafit™ Modular Air-Source Multi-Pipe units (Model MAS). These modular solutions provide simultaneous heating and cooling, maintain reliable performance in temperatures as low as -18°F, and substantially reduce—or eliminate—the dependence on traditional fossil fuel-powered boilers.

Odyssey™ Light Commercial Split System Lineup Expansion

New 12.5-ton and 25-ton Odyssey™ heat pump units create the market’s widest tonnage range and enhance system reliability with dual-circuit designs. With these additions, Trane will now have the broadest light commercial split system heat pump tonnage range on the market.

Connected Mechanical Service Agreement (CMSA)

To maximize uptime and efficiency, Trane is expanding its Connected Mechanical Service Agreement (CMSA) to include heat pumps and Arctic Chillers. By integrating these systems into the Trane Connect digital platform, Trane offers customers continuous data collection and 24/7 remote operational insights, moving beyond traditional maintenance to a proactive model that improves reliability, reduces downtime, and lowers operational costs.

For more on the latest innovation from Trane, visit trane.com/unstoppable.

# # #

About Trane 
Trane – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator – creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments for commercial and residential applications. For more information, please visit www.trane.com or www.tranetechnologies.com.

About Trane Technologies
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. Visit tranetechnologies.com.

AMSTERDAM, February 3, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services (SCS), an international leader in third party certification and sustainability verification for more than 40 years, today announced the launch of SCS Global Services Europe B.V. (SCS Europe) — a dedicated EU-based legal entity established to help companies navigate the existing and rapidly expanding landscape of European climate and sustainability regulations.

As the EU introduces far-reaching rules including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the emerging Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Digital Product Passport (DPP), companies operating in Europe face increasing pressure to demonstrate transparent, independently verified compliance.

SCS Europe was created to meet this moment.

“Companies need verification partners that understand the requirements from the inside and can act quickly,” said Maggie Schwartz, Managing Director, SCS Europe and Vice-President of Natural Resources for SCS Global Global Services. “Establishing SCS Europe enables us to deliver faster, more tailored support to clients, expand our European accreditations, and help organizations meet new compliance obligations with confidence.”

Bringing Certification, Verification, and Regulatory Assurance Closer to EU Markets

SCS Europe expands the company’s offerings beyond voluntary sustainability programs to include a full portfolio of compliance-ready assurance services, supporting clients impacted by:

• CBAM reporting and emissions verification
• EU ETS requirements
• EUDR deforestation-free supply chain validation
• CSRD data assurance and supply chain due diligence
• ESPR and Digital Product Passport data and traceability needs

These services build on SCS Global Services’ long-standing expertise in climate change mitigation, emissions quantification, sustainable supply chains, and responsible sourcing.

Broad Portfolio of Certification and Verification Services

Based in Amsterdam, SCS Europe will deliver a comprehensive suite of globally and regionally recognized certifications across sustainability, responsible sourcing, forestry, agriculture, and biofuels, including:

• ISCC and RSB
• Italian National Scheme
• RSPO
• FSC, PEFC, SBP
• SMETA and BRC
• Textile Exchange
• MSC Fisheries and ASC Aquaculture
• FEMB Level

Visit our website for a full list of EU services.

About SCS Global Services: 

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, and standards development with over 40 years of experience. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a California-chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.scsglobalservices.com. 

Media Contact 

Rachel Barnhart  
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations  
SCS Global Services  
Email: rbarnhart@scsglobalservices.com 

LINCOLN, Neb., February 2, 2026 /3BL/ – One year after the Eaton Fire that blazed through Los Angeles County, the Arbor Day Foundation collaborated with local partners and community members to grow hope at an elementary school impacted by the fire. Volunteers joined the Foundation’s local tree planting partner Amigos de los Rios on Saturday to plant trees and greenery at Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary School, located within the burn zone of the Eaton Fire.

“The students and staff in this school district have endured such immense challenges in the wake of the Eaton Fire, and they deserve to enjoy a welcoming, thriving environment to learn. We believe enhancing campus green spaces with new trees and plants will help provide hope and healing for this community as they continue on their path to recovery,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’re grateful for the collaboration of our corporate partners and local planting partner to help make a meaningful impact through trees.”

“Public schools, such as Mary Jackson STEAM Magnet, serve as critical community hubs and gathering spaces. Now more than ever, post-fire, we want school community members to feel the campus is well cared for and to make sure that students and teachers can benefit from beautiful outdoor spaces that are inspiring and reassuring. We are very grateful for the Arbor Day Foundation’s support,” said Claire Robinson, founder and managing director of Amigos de los Rios.

Project supporters include AT&T, Fera Pets, Niagara Cares, and Edward Jones. The latter two also supported emergency tree watering last fall to protect the remaining trees that survived the fire.

The Eaton Fire started on January 7, 2025 and burned 14,000 acres in the Altadena and Pasadena areas. According to the Pasadena Educational Foundation, more than 1,000 families throughout the school district and 200 staff members lost their homes in the fire.

The Arbor Day Foundation has been heavily invested in assisting disaster-affected communities and forestlands since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005 and has planted and distributed millions of trees as a result. The work has aided recovery efforts following wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. 

Restoring tree cover after a wildfire isn’t quick or easy. Fire damages the land so severely it can take years before trees are ready to be planted in some areas. Visit arborday.org to learn more about the long road to recovery and what it takes to replant after a wildfire. 

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

###

LINCOLN, Neb., February 2, 2026 /3BL/ – One year after the Eaton Fire that blazed through Los Angeles County, the Arbor Day Foundation collaborated with local partners and community members to grow hope at an elementary school impacted by the fire. Volunteers joined the Foundation’s local tree planting partner Amigos de los Rios on Saturday to plant trees and greenery at Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary School, located within the burn zone of the Eaton Fire.

“The students and staff in this school district have endured such immense challenges in the wake of the Eaton Fire, and they deserve to enjoy a welcoming, thriving environment to learn. We believe enhancing campus green spaces with new trees and plants will help provide hope and healing for this community as they continue on their path to recovery,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’re grateful for the collaboration of our corporate partners and local planting partner to help make a meaningful impact through trees.”

“Public schools, such as Mary Jackson STEAM Magnet, serve as critical community hubs and gathering spaces. Now more than ever, post-fire, we want school community members to feel the campus is well cared for and to make sure that students and teachers can benefit from beautiful outdoor spaces that are inspiring and reassuring. We are very grateful for the Arbor Day Foundation’s support,” said Claire Robinson, founder and managing director of Amigos de los Rios.

Project supporters include AT&T, Fera Pets, Niagara Cares, and Edward Jones. The latter two also supported emergency tree watering last fall to protect the remaining trees that survived the fire.

The Eaton Fire started on January 7, 2025 and burned 14,000 acres in the Altadena and Pasadena areas. According to the Pasadena Educational Foundation, more than 1,000 families throughout the school district and 200 staff members lost their homes in the fire.

The Arbor Day Foundation has been heavily invested in assisting disaster-affected communities and forestlands since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005 and has planted and distributed millions of trees as a result. The work has aided recovery efforts following wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. 

Restoring tree cover after a wildfire isn’t quick or easy. Fire damages the land so severely it can take years before trees are ready to be planted in some areas. Visit arborday.org to learn more about the long road to recovery and what it takes to replant after a wildfire. 

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

###

By Sue Henry

February 2, 2026 /3BL/ – For the past two decades, Entergy has viewed early childhood education as a key investment in the strength and well-being of the communities we serve. Through sustained philanthropy, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships, the company has helped to strengthen early learning systems at scale. This long-term approach has translated into measurable improvements in school readiness and meaningful progress for children and families across the city.

Entergy’s commitment to improving early learning systems combines philanthropic support with outreach and advocacy efforts to advance systemic change. We work closely with local and statewide coalitions to expand access to high-quality early learning. These efforts contributed to the creation of a statewide fund for early childhood education and the passage of a millage in Orleans Parish in 2022 dedicated to early childhood education. Together, these mechanisms generate approximately $42 million annually to expand access to high-quality educational opportunities.

Direct philanthropy has strengthened policy achievements. The Entergy Charitable Foundation provided $300,000 for a challenge grant to advance early learning in New Orleans. This contribution helped launch the City Seats program which expands access to quality early learning across the city. Entergy has also funded research that documents the broader impact of these efforts. A Modern History of Early Care and Education in Louisiana: 2001–2022, a research paper by Monica Candal Rahim, outlines the progress of the movement and highlights the company’s role in advancing early childhood systems statewide.

In only two years, this investment in the passage of the millage has produced population-level results in school readiness. New Orleans kindergarteners now outperform the statewide average across every subgroup, including economically disadvantaged children, English learners, and children with disabilities. At a time when statewide indicators show decline, New Orleans continues to improve.

The data also shows meaningful gains for economically disadvantaged students. A higher share now meet or exceed kindergarten readiness benchmarks, while the percentage of students entering school below those benchmarks has declined. More children enter kindergarten with foundational early literacy skills, increasing the likelihood of long-term academic success.

“These outcomes demonstrate what is possible when communities commit to early learning and sustain that commitment over time,” said Patty Riddlebarger, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Entergy. “By investing in early education and working alongside trusted partners, we are helping ensure more children in New Orleans have access to high-quality early learning opportunities that will prepare them for greater success in life.”

Policy change has played a key role in this progress. Entergy supported the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, which helped advance the Orleans Parish millage that generates $21 million annually. That revenue receives a state match through a fund created with advocacy support from the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, which Entergy also supported through funding and executive leadership.

Community partnerships remain essential to this work. Organizations supported by Entergy include the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children and Families, Agenda for Children, STAND, EduCare, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, and the Campaign for Grade Level Reading. Each parter strengthens a different part of the early learning ecosystem, from policy design to family engagement.

Recent investments reflect a continued emphasis on comprehensive, community-centered solutions. In November 2025, the Entergy Charitable Foundation awarded a $150,000 grant to Wilcox Academy in central city. The Wilcox Academy of Early Learning, currently under construction and scheduled to open next spring, will serve 350 low-income children and families. In addition to high-quality early care and education, the center will provide wraparound support services such as healthy take-home dinners, individualized success coaching, on-site health services, extended hours for working families, and college scholarships for program graduates.

The results in New Orleans reinforce the broader lesson that early childhood education delivers its greatest returns when investment remains consistent, coordinated, and focused on long-term outcomes. Building on the progress achieved in New Orleans, Entergy will continue to work across its service territories in Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas to support early learning efforts.

Learn more about our corporate social responsibility initiatives by visiting entergy.com/community.

About Entergy

Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media.

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