AGP Executive Report

Great Lakes Cleanup: EPA has started a $12M cleanup at the Torch Lake Area of Concern in Michigan, targeting about 13,000 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with lead, zinc, and PCBs; the Lake Linden campground and marina stay open but beach access is paused in 2026. Air Quality & Wildfires: A new analysis says wildfire smoke has reversed years of ozone progress, driving rising ozone-related premature deaths since 2015. Water Quality Grants: South Carolina is accepting applications for EPA-funded Section 319 watershed grants to cut nonpoint source pollution, with proposals due Aug. 14. Public Health & Chemicals: FDA’s voluntary push to phase out certain synthetic dyes by end of 2026 faces hurdles as major food brands haven’t all committed to removal. Community Flooding Fight: Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers residents protest a plan to close neighborhood canals tied to a $20M flood mitigation grant, arguing it won’t fully protect them. Climate Signage in Parks: After a judge ordered restoration, climate-change messages reappeared at Acadia, though some removed displays are still pending. Agriculture Biosecurity: USDA is releasing sterile flies to fight New World screwworm in Texas, warning warming weather could expand the pest’s reach. Policy & Industry: The U.S. House passed the DOMINANCE Act to reduce reliance on China’s rare-earth processing monopoly. Extreme Heat: A roundup highlights record-setting temperature extremes across every state, underscoring how heat waves are becoming more frequent.

Pesticide Accountability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” bills in states to block lawsuits over alleged cancer risks from glyphosate/Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to weigh whether federal law preempts state “failure to warn” claims this July. Clean Energy & Homes: Heat pumps keep gaining fans, but the reporting stresses that installation quality can make or break efficiency and savings. Wildfire Readiness in the U.S.: Guam is running its first specialized wildfire training for local agencies, focusing on structural ignition and community mitigation as dry conditions raise fire risk. Climate Impacts in the North: New research warns Arctic lakes in Canada are rapidly changing as warming accelerates ecological shifts. Food Additives Under Pressure: The FDA’s voluntary push to phase out six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 faces hurdles as major brands haven’t all committed, while some states already restrict dyes. Water & Soil Risks: Letters and local reporting highlight concerns about lake drawdowns releasing sediment and phosphorus, while farm coverage points to no-till as a defense against wind-driven topsoil loss. AI Power Backlash: New York lawmakers passed a one-year moratorium on large data centers while studying impacts on electricity, water, and the environment. Next-Gen Aviation Fuel: Circularity Fuels says it completed a pilot converting dairy biogas into sustainable aviation fuel, aiming to cut costs and emissions.

Pesticide Lawsuit Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing state “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits from people harmed by products like glyphosate/Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law preempts state failure-to-warn claims. Food Additives: A voluntary FDA push to phase out six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 is stalling, with nearly 20% of packaged foods still containing dyes and major brands yet to commit. Drought Pressure: The Navajo Nation has declared a state of emergency as severe drought strains water, forage, and ranching livelihoods. Wildlife & Livestock Health: New World screwworm infestations have reached 12 confirmed cases, prompting debate over how to deploy sterile fly releases and adult suppression tools as warming conditions may expand the pest’s range. Clean Energy Buildout: A $3.5 billion Arkansas solar-plus-battery project is moving forward, aiming to add reliable power as demand rises. National Parks Accountability: A judge ordered the Trump administration to restore removed or altered exhibits tied to slavery and climate change, calling the changes a “white-out pen.” Border Barriers: Texas-Mexico wall expansion plans in the Rio Grande face protests and lawsuits, with opponents warning of impacts to wildlife habitat and flooding.

Pesticide Lawsuit Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing state “liability shield” bills to block lawsuits over harms from glyphosate/Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide in July 2026 whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims—already passed in Georgia and North Dakota, with more states considering similar moves. Critical Minerals Push: The House passed the DOMINANCE Act to counter China’s rare-earth processing dominance by building allied extraction and processing networks, aiming to reduce supply-chain chokeholds tied to defense and tech. Food Additives Under Scrutiny: A voluntary FDA/HHS phase-out of six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 faces resistance from major brands, while studies link some dyes to behavioral issues in children. Climate Risk & Flooding: Vermont is bracing for another intense summer as heavier rainfall patterns worsen flood threats, and Illinois’ recent storm damage highlights how extreme rain overwhelms sewer systems and drives costly, often uninsured losses. Energy Shift: Solar surpassed coal in the U.S. electricity mix for the first month on record, underscoring fast-changing power demand and generation trends. Nuclear Spending Watch: ICAN reports U.S. nuclear weapons spending in 2025 exceeded all other nuclear-armed nations combined, driven by modernization of missiles, bombers, and submarines.

EPA Superfund Cleanup: EPA says it’s making steady progress at the former Olin Chemical Superfund site, sharing new milestones and next remediation planning with nearby residents. Public Health & Climate: Georgia Southern’s National Tick Collection is drawing fresh attention as tick-borne illness concerns rise with warmer conditions and expanding tick habitat. Clean Power Reliability: California’s first 8-hour grid battery is now online, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil peaker plants by storing more solar power for longer. Water Stress: Iowa’s latest drought update shows dry conditions worsening across much of the state, with abnormally dry areas covering about three-quarters. Wildlife Recovery: Spring chinook salmon have returned above the Toutle River sediment dam for the first time since 1980, a major milestone for restoration efforts after Mount St. Helens’ eruption. Pollution Response: Alaska officials are coordinating cleanup after a diesel spill flowed from a heating oil tank into nearby drainage and reached tidelands near Saxman. Legal Accountability: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore removed national park signs and exhibits on slavery and climate change, calling the removals unauthorized censorship. Food Additives: New reporting finds synthetic dyes show up in nearly 1 in 5 U.S. packaged foods, as a voluntary FDA phase-out faces hurdles.

Pesticide Accountability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws in states to block lawsuits from people harmed by products like glyphosate/Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims; Georgia and North Dakota already passed similar shields, with more bills pending. Climate Risk & Health: A new report finds synthetic dyes show up in nearly 20% of U.S. packaged foods (rising to 28% in kids’ products), even as the FDA and HHS announced a voluntary phase-out of six dyes by end of 2026—without public commitments from major brands. Wildlife & Agriculture: USDA is ramping up a response to the New World screwworm, using sterile fly releases and warning that warming weather could expand the pest’s reach and threaten cattle. Water & Infrastructure Pressure: Reports highlight how AI-driven data centers are straining water supplies, while residents say new facilities can bring noise and emissions. Policy & Parks: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore national park signs and exhibits on climate change and slavery, calling the removals unauthorized censorship. Weather Outlook: Federal forecasters declared El Niño is underway, warning it could be very strong and costly for the economy.

Pesticide Liability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing state “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits over alleged cancer risks from glyphosate/Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn claims. Energy Grid Emergency: The DOE declared a Southeast grid emergency as extreme heat drives heavy AC demand, ordering Duke Energy units to run at maximum output to prevent blackouts. Water Pollution & Accountability: Two Houston-area residents pleaded guilty to falsifying wastewater testing results, including illegal levels of ammonia, E. coli and phosphorus. Reproductive Health Meets Water Policy: Republican attorneys general urged the EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant, despite experts saying there’s no proof it harms waterways. Conservation & Federal Land: Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante monument fight continues as Indigenous and environmental groups say Senate inaction blocked a bigger use of the Congressional Review Act. Mining & Land Use: Montana’s Silver Bow Mining seeks approval for exploratory mining near Walkerville, aiming to characterize ore for potential critical-mineral production. Immigration Facility Lawsuit: California sued to stop construction of an alleged ICE holding facility in Santa Clara County, arguing federal actions violate environmental and other laws.

Nuclear Power Race: A new analysis says China could overtake the U.S. as the world’s top nuclear power generator within five years, fueled by AI-driven electricity demand and faster, cheaper reactor builds—while the U.S. lags on costs and regulation. Food Security & Shipping: UN officials warn the blocked Strait of Hormuz is becoming a “critical failure point” for global food security as fertilizer shipments and prices face major disruption. Climate Litigation Fight: Oil industry allies are pushing back hard on climate attribution science, including efforts to discredit a National Academies report that could strengthen disaster-linked lawsuits. Sunscreen Update: The FDA approved bemotrizinol, a long-used UV filter in Europe, aiming to improve UVA protection and expand safer sunscreen options in the U.S. Public Health & Chemicals: A study finds synthetic dyes show up in about 1 in 5 U.S. packaged foods, with children’s products hit harder, while another report flags pesticide exposure effects that may persist across generations. Coastal & Land Use: Conservation groups sued to stop a SpaceX land swap in Texas wildlife refuge habitat, and a Senate wildfire bill advanced that would repeal the Roadless Rule and expand thinning and prescribed burns.

Coal Power Fight: The U.S. Department of Energy ordered Orlando’s Stanton Energy Center to keep burning coal, drawing Sierra Club criticism and raising fresh air-quality concerns for a major tourist region. Climate Science Under Pressure: The National Science Foundation is dismantling key ocean monitoring arrays years ahead of schedule, threatening long-term data on warming seas, marine heat waves, and hurricanes. Deep-Sea Mining Rules Called Outdated: Legal experts warn U.S. federal plans for seabed lease sales could move ahead with weak safeguards as deep-sea mining faces bans and moratoriums elsewhere. Public Health & Food Additives: A federal voluntary phase-out of six synthetic dyes by end of 2026 is running into hurdles, with major companies not publicly committing and studies linking dyes to behavioral effects in children. Energy Reliability: A new analysis warns the Eastern grid could face emergency peak-power shortfalls by June 2027, increasing blackout risk as demand rises. Batteries & Critical Minerals: DOE-backed work with Idaho National Laboratory and Aqua Metals targets more efficient nickel and cobalt separation for domestic battery recycling.

Food & Health Policy: FDA and HHS announced a voluntary phase-out of six synthetic dyes by end of 2026, but major brands haven’t all committed publicly, and researchers link some dyes to behavioral issues in children. Permitting & Clean Energy: Bipartisan Senate leaders say Trump-era moves are undermining trust in permitting reform, warning that delays could cost a “golden opportunity” for wind and solar. Border & Environmental Law: California and Santa Clara County sued to block a planned ICE facility near Gilroy, arguing federal actions violate environmental and procedural requirements and threaten local ecosystems. Water & Chemicals: EPA fined a Milford pharma maker $859K over hazardous waste and RCRA issues, while authorities served a search warrant at a Southern California chemical site after a methyl methacrylate tank crisis. Wildfire Risk & Farm Policy: Sen. Jerry Moran pushed for stronger CRP flexibility so drought-hit ranchers can hay and graze acres without turning them into wildfire fuel. Energy Reliability: Reporting warns the grid could face emergency peak-power shortfalls by 2027, with data centers and electrification adding strain. Public Health & Regulation: A new sunscreen ingredient (bemotrizinol) was approved for U.S. OTC use after two decades. Environment & Agriculture: Alaska began an environmental assessment for improvements to bison habitat at the Delta Junction Bison Range. Toxic Legacy Cleanup: Utah removed a carp PCB consumption advisory for Utah Lake, citing low enough contamination levels.

Grid Reliability: A new warning flags that the Eastern U.S. power grid could run short on emergency peak capacity by June 2027, with data-center and electrification demand stressing aging infrastructure. Public Health & Water: Indiana advocates say proposed EPA PFAS “forever chemical” rollbacks could weaken drinking-water protections, even as at least one utility is already cleaning PFAS. Chemicals & Health Across Generations: A study links vinclozolin exposure to health effects persisting across generations, raising fresh questions about whether current pesticide safety reviews cover long-term impacts. Clean Energy Policy: A case for utility-scale solar argues it’s fast to build and among the cheapest new power sources, with batteries helping it scale. Environment & Tourism: Colorado is expanding dark-sky tourism with a connected “stargazing trail” to reduce light pollution and draw visitors. Aquaculture Research: NOAA-backed CIFARM will fund aquaculture research and markets, with UH Hilo among core partners. Energy Security & Nuclear: A push argues the U.S. should treat stored used nuclear fuel as a recoverable energy reserve and accelerate recycling. Surveillance & Privacy: A lawsuit challenges Westchester County’s license plate reader system as indiscriminate surveillance.

Energy Reliability: A new warning says PJM’s emergency peak power margin could fall dangerously by June 2027, raising the odds of blackouts as demand rises from data centers and electrification. Agriculture & Climate: Diesel prices tied to the Iran conflict are hitting record highs in key farm states, squeezing already-stressed grain and soybean growers. Water Policy: The federal government is shifting Colorado River management to a shorter, 10-year framework with new operational guidelines every two years, with a final environmental review due this summer. Air Quality & Health: Pitkin County is pausing ultra-fine particle monitoring at an airport after local debate over health impacts and measurement limits. Methane Regulation: Environmental groups are challenging an EPA methane rule rollback in federal court. Wildlife Trade: Indonesia is cracking down on illegal hornbill trade, including online sales of live birds and parts. Food & Safety: FDA approved bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen ingredient in over 25 years. Carbon Capture: A Louisiana school program is using carbon capture lessons to build support, while critics question industry influence.

PFAS & PFAS-like contamination: A new analysis says half of California waterways are tainted by PFAS pesticides, raising fresh alarms for drinking-water and ecosystem risks. Food safety: Consumer Reports and Yuka found concerning levels of additives and contaminants in popular processed snacks, with over a third exceeding recommended safety thresholds. Climate & air quality: A study warns wildfires are reversing years of U.S. air-quality gains, worsening smog and public health impacts. Water & chemicals: A U.S. court restored a 5% safe harbor for wind and large solar tax rules, while another federal judge struck down IRS limits on wind/solar credits—both affecting clean-energy timelines. Invasive species: Scientists report evidence that the bloody red shrimp is now established across all five Great Lakes, adding another uncertainty to Great Lakes food webs. Energy policy: A Fed study finds today’s oil shocks hit inflation and jobs less than in the 1970s, even as Strait of Hormuz disruptions keep pressure on fuel markets. Regulation & health: A new study links pesticide exposure to health effects across generations, spotlighting gaps in how U.S. regulators assess long-term risk.

Clean Energy Court Win: A federal judge vacated Trump-era IRS rules that made it harder for wind and solar projects to qualify for tax credits, a blow to efforts to slow clean power buildout. Great Lakes Cleanup: Michigan and EPA announced $10 million to speed cleanup of toxic sediment in the Detroit River, including dredging plans near Belle Isle. Invasive Pest Threat: USDA confirmed new New World screwworm cases in Texas, prompting emergency guidance for Arizona ranchers and renewed quarantine-style precautions for warm-blooded animals. Water Infrastructure Oversight: Milwaukee’s sewer district approved an independent audit of Veolia’s wastewater operations ahead of a major $700M contract fight. Renewables Deal: 38 Degrees North bought a 104 MW community solar portfolio in Illinois from Cypress Creek, expanding distributed solar expected to come online by 2027. Public Health & Climate Science: A new study links pesticide exposure to health effects across generations, raising fresh questions about gaps in U.S. pesticide safety reviews.

Hurricane Outlook: NOAA forecasts 8–14 named Atlantic storms this season, with El Niño likely lowering South Carolina’s risk of ocean-spawned storms even as forecasters watch for systems that could form closer to the U.S. Climate & Health Housing: Milwaukee’s ECO Healthy Homes Program is restarting to help residents spot environmental hazards and energy inefficiencies after an EPA grant was cut; the effort targets flood- and mold-damaged homes and other common risks like lead. Wildlife & Livestock Biosecurity: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas, triggering a containment zone and sterile-fly releases; Arkansas ranchers are urged to monitor herds, and Canada temporarily restricts Texas livestock imports. Air Quality Research: A new study says wildfires may be reversing U.S. progress on ozone pollution, worsening smog conditions. Energy Demand & Grid Pressure: DOE projects data centers could reach up to 12% of U.S. electricity demand by 2028, raising pressure on power plants and transmission buildout. Policy Watch: A House NDAA draft would require a briefing on at-sea reloading plans for Navy VLS cells, reflecting renewed focus on contested maritime operations.

Public Lands & Climate: Sen. Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plan for a first-day moratorium on new oil and gas drilling and mining on federal lands, plus methane and clean-air rule reversals, reigniting the fight over public-land energy. Ocean Monitoring: Rep. Mike Levin says the Trump administration’s deep-ocean instrument cuts are aimed at blocking visibility into impacts from future deep-sea mining, as the Ocean Observatories Initiative is dismantled. Water & Drought: Experts warn the Colorado River’s biggest reservoirs are moving toward a “system crash,” raising stakes for states already facing extreme dry conditions. Species Protection & Pesticides: EPA is rolling out a pesticide label directive that sends applicators to an online system (BLT) for location- and month-specific limits to protect threatened species. World Cup Health & Heat: A World Cup security-and-health scramble highlights infectious-disease risks and extreme-heat warnings across North American host cities. Energy Transition: A new IEA investment snapshot finds clean energy drawing about twice the funding of fossil fuels globally, even as fossil still dominates overall spending. Arctic Infrastructure: A report flags the U.S.’s reliance on Norway’s Svalbard satellite station as the Arctic grows more contested. Local Environment: Edmonds launched “Edmonds Serves,” spotlighting community volunteer efforts tied to local stewardship.