AGP Executive Report

Climate & Research: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, keeping UCAR in control of the NCAR-Wyoming supercomputing center in Cheyenne, in a fight tied to Colorado politics. Energy Costs: Indiana’s average residential electricity price rose to 17.85 cents per kWh in March 2026, up 8.84% from a year earlier, adding pressure as summer cooling demand ramps. Pollinator Habitat: Colorado’s Butterfly Pavilion finished a baseline survey for a pollinator corridor along the Northwest Parkway, aiming to convert unused right-of-way into habitat for bees and butterflies. Spill Response: An abandoned underwater fuel line leaked heavy fuel oil into Oregon’s Columbia River near Astoria; crews contained it and shifted to cleanup and estimating the amount. AI & Public Safety: States including Florida are suing major AI firms over alleged harms and data practices, signaling a broader push for nationwide rules. Workplace Safety: New reporting highlights how OSHA changes are increasing the workload for safety managers nationwide, pushing more employers toward centralized compliance tools.

Public Health Watch: Colorado health officials say anecdotal reports of early mosquitoes may be linked to a mild winter and warm spring, but cold snaps could have pushed populations back; they’re tracking conditions that drive West Nile virus risk. Climate & Energy Policy: House Democrats are floating a package to curb coal mine pollution by tightening rules under SMCRA, including how reclamation bonds are calculated to address “zombie mines.” Wildlife Protection: An international investigation describes sophisticated networks trafficking endangered golden lion tamarins from Brazil, with some animals dying on the Atlantic crossing. Water & Environmental Cleanup: Crews cleared 81 million pounds of demolition debris at DOE’s Y-12 in Oak Ridge, moving the former Alpha-2 site closer to reuse. Coastal Resilience: Tybee Island officials say an ownerless tract could become protected conservation land as erosion and sand-flow disruptions continue to threaten barrier-island habitat. Tech + Military Caution: U.S. Special Operations leaders urge guardrails as the Pentagon pushes AI into military targeting and operations.

Climate Risk: A new UN forecast says Earth is very likely to keep overshooting the Paris 1.5°C warming threshold again and again through 2030, with a 75% chance 2026-2030 averages exceed it and a 91% chance at least one of the next five years will. Public Health & Climate Links: As summer travel ramps up, officials are tracking Ebola abroad, a localized mpox surge in Boston, and rising Florida Vibrio infections tied to warmer coastal conditions. Air Quality: Indiana’s environmental agency warns ozone alerts may become more common in spring and summer, especially when stagnant weather and wildfire smoke stack the risk. Water & Coasts: Wisconsin is asking residents to update its Great Lakes beach list ahead of summer, tied to federal BEACH Act monitoring and public notification. Invasive Species: Maryland is pushing a hands-on approach to snakehead control, using high-powered bows to remove the invasive fish from local waters. Volcano Watch: USGS has issued a Kīlauea alert for Hawaii’s Kilauea, raising the alert level as episodic fountaining could begin soon. Local Resilience: Santa Barbara’s Climate Fridays series will spotlight the city’s Waterfront Adaptation Plan and coastal resilience efforts.

EPA & Coal Ash: Virginia and Maryland are tightening rules as the EPA moves to loosen federal coal-ash dump-site standards, with public comments open until June 12 and critics warning heavy metals can seep into groundwater. Health Care Access: Hawaii’s largest insurer, HMSA, is switching back to fee-for-service billing July 1, raising fears of longer waits and clinic closures for primary care. Water Systems: Framingham, Massachusetts kicks off annual hydrant flushing June 1 for 4–6 weeks, with residents warned about temporary pressure drops and possible discoloration. Climate Outlook: NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says El Niño odds are high, but Colorado impacts remain uncertain as drought-hit areas brace for a summer that could swing either way. Agriculture Conservation: USDA will survey farmers starting in June to assess conservation practices and guide future soil, water, and habitat programs. Tick Season: HHS launched a Lyme and tick-borne illness initiative in New Hampshire as CDC reports elevated ER visits for tick bites in many regions. Indo-Pacific Security: At Shangri-La, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged allies to do more as the Philippines and U.S. deepen cooperation, including a planned Coast Guard cutter transfer. Energy & Minerals: East Texas is positioned for potential lithium mining tied to a defense-focused bill under the National Defense Authorization Act. Local Environment: A Maine housing proposal faces wetland and traffic concerns as Sabattus residents push back on a 96-unit development.

Industrial Safety & Accountability: A chemical tank rupture at Nippon Dynawave’s Longview, Washington paper mill spilled hundreds of thousands of gallons of caustic chemicals, killing workers and prompting a U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigation as families demand answers about safety culture. Climate & Extreme Weather: A new heat wave is easing in central and southern Saskatchewan after record-breaking temperatures, with cooler, showery conditions and storm risk expected to affect wildfire outlooks. Arctic Change: Alaska researchers are seeking answers about a changing Kuskokwim River as shifting spring breakup patterns increasingly isolate communities. Energy Prices & Geopolitics: ExxonMobil’s chief warned crude could spike toward $160 as oil inventories hit very low levels amid U.S.-Iran tensions and Hormuz uncertainty. AI Power Use & Local Impacts: The University of Michigan is pressing ahead with a major Ypsilanti data center plan despite local opposition and a water/sewer moratorium, raising environmental and community concerns. Online Safety Policy: Virginia AG Jay Jones joined efforts to oppose the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state enforcement and shift child protections to social media companies. Public Health: De Dio’s Ice Pops II LLC recalled certain ice pops due to undeclared allergens that could trigger life-threatening reactions. Human Rights & Enforcement: An AP investigation found an alarming spike in ICE detainee suicides since Trump returned to office, pointing to failures in care and oversight.

Cover Crops Push: Farmers for Soil Health reopened enrollment for 2026 with higher per-acre payments and a simpler one-year contract to help growers adopt cover crops, backed by a $95M USDA Advancing Markets for Producers grant. Water Pollution & Public Health: Opinion letters warn Lake Okeechobee’s decline is driving dangerous cyanobacteria blooms tied to nutrient overload, weakened wetland buffers, and warming temperatures—raising risks for people, pets, and downstream communities. Data Centers & Grid Impact: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s GRID Standards would tie tax benefits to requirements meant to address energy affordability and local air/water/noise concerns from data center growth, while Colorado debates similar rules to keep AI demand from spiking costs. Ecosystem & Climate Adaptation: A report highlights Zürich’s long-running green-roof mandate as a model for cooling cities and reducing heat stress. Wildlife Conservation: Peregrine falcons are being monitored again in Pennsylvania as chicks are banded, building on recovery from DDT-era collapse. Policy Fight in Court: 143 lawmakers filed an amicus brief challenging Trump’s White House East Wing demolition and ballroom construction as illegal.

SEC Climate Rollback: The SEC proposed rescinding Biden-era rules requiring some public companies to report greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, arguing the disclosure mandate exceeds its authority and imposes costly burdens. Coastal & Water Impacts: Miami’s Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park was left off Dr. Beach’s 2026 Top 10 list due to excessive sargassum, a problem tied to major coastal economic losses. Extreme Weather Outlook: The World Meteorological Organization flagged a high chance of a “Super El Niño,” with forecasts pointing to a likely temporary global temperature jump above 1.5°C and heightened flood-and-drought risk. Agriculture & Climate Stress: USDA’s “Great American Cotton Plan” aims to regain U.S. cotton export leadership, while New York weighs disaster aid for Hudson Valley farms hit by a spring freeze. Waste & Recycling: Michigan campuses are struggling with takeout trash piling up as single-use packaging from delivery and mobile ordering grows. Wildlife Crime: A California man was sentenced to 65 months for smuggling at least 1,700 reptiles into the U.S. without required permits.

Data Centers vs. Water & Power: Corpus Christi is bracing for a water crunch next summer as demand is set to outstrip supplies, with conservation the only near-term lever while desalination and new reservoirs remain slow and costly. Local Governance: Ohio lawmakers kicked off hearings on a data center committee as the state already has 200+ facilities and 77 more planned by 2030, with residents largely opposed and lawmakers focused on who pays for power and impacts. Climate & Energy Policy: A trade advisory panel added prominent right-leaning climate figures, signaling how environmental rules are getting folded into U.S. trade policy. Legal Fight Over Fishing: A federal judge halted an expanded recreational red snapper season in the Southeast Atlantic after a lawsuit from commercial anglers and environmental groups. Air & Pollution Oversight: Louisiana’s debate over real-time fenceline monitoring continues after another refinery explosion raised concerns about toxic emissions and the lack of alerts. Federal Research & Education: U.S. Education officials toured University of Hawaiʻi research facilities, highlighting workforce and student success efforts tied to marine and space science.

Workplace Disaster: Crews in Washington state recovered 6 of 9 workers missing after a chemical tank rupture at a Longview paper mill, with 11 deaths total and officials warning recovery will be slow due to remaining hazardous chemicals; the cause is still under investigation. Climate & Heat: A new Climate Central analysis finds summer temperatures are rising in 97% of major U.S. cities, with human-caused warming linked to hotter summers since 1970. Pollution & Cleanup Fight: The EPA held a 10-hour public hearing on proposed coal ash cleanup rule changes that critics say would weaken protections and delay contamination cleanup; public comments run through June 12. PFAS & Water Risks: An EWG report says PFAS pesticides contaminate half of one state’s surface water, adding pressure on regulators to address emerging chemical pollution. Energy Transition Politics: U.S. lawmakers accuse the Trump administration of paying off offshore wind companies to exit the market, while biofuel groups push Treasury for faster 45Z Clean Fuel credit rules. Data Centers & Power: A major deal ties data center growth to fossil fuel power infrastructure, raising new environmental and climate concerns as AI-driven electricity demand expands.

Environmental Justice & Data Centers: A proposed $5B, 4-million-square-foot hyperscale data center at Maryland’s former Landover Mall is drawing sharp pushback from Prince George’s County residents, who say the area already faces cumulative health and environmental burdens. PFAS Lawsuit: Australia filed a record $1.4B lawsuit against 3M over “forever chemicals” from PFAS-containing firefighting foam used at defense bases, while 3M says it stopped selling the products decades ago. Chemical Safety Transparency: A new interactive map tracks thousands of U.S. chemical facilities under EPA’s Risk Management Program, showing where accidents have been reported—and where they haven’t—amid renewed public concern after major incidents. Air Quality Alerts: Millions were urged to avoid driving as ozone pollution triggers health warnings across parts of Texas and California, with risks highest for children, seniors, and people with heart or lung conditions. Nuclear Cleanup Milestone: At Savannah River Site, regulators cleared an eighth legacy waste tank for “Preliminary Cease Waste Removal” status, marking continued progress in accelerating cleanup. Wildlife Access: Indiana’s Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge may face closure of public access, with advocates urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to keep the land open. Climate Extremes: The next five years are expected to smash heat records, with UN-linked reporting pointing to worsening climate impacts.

PFAS Funding: EPA announced $9.4 million for Wyoming to test and treat PFAS and other emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities, with money aimed at planning and installing treatment. Toxic Herbicide Crackdown: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weedkiller linked to Parkinson’s disease, with other states considering similar limits. Oil & Gas Fight in California: BLM moved forward with a Central California oil and gas leasing proposal covering about 850,000 acres, despite heavy opposition and claims the review relies on outdated analysis; a decision is expected within 30 days. Water Pollution Disaster: A chemical tank rupture at a Washington paper-pulp facility sent contamination into the Columbia River, with at least two dead and nine still missing as recovery continues. Wildlife & Hunting Policy: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed changes to hunting programs at Lower and Upper Klamath and Tule Lake refuges to improve access and safety, with updates tied to the 2026 waterfowl season. Data Center Pressure: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota delayed a data center moratorium after legal threats, pushing the decision to its June meeting. Seafood Forced-Labor Case: Greenpeace USA reacted to a California court ruling in the Bumble Bee Tuna forced-labor case, saying damages could still push companies to change practices. Arctic/Climate Litigation Politics: House Democrats plan a bill to block construction of Trump’s “triumphal arch” near Arlington National Cemetery, spotlighting how federal land viewsheds can become a flashpoint.

Great Lakes PCB cleanup: A new report and explainer revisit the Lower Fox River’s massive PCB removal—about 6.5 million cubic yards over 17 years—plus the human toll for workers exposed during the cleanup. Public health & housing heat risk: Census estimates show Pennsylvania’s cooling access is uneven: near-100% in metro areas, but under 60% in parts of rural, higher-elevation counties—an issue as heat stress worsens. Climate extremes abroad with U.S. relevance: Vietnam’s heatwave is straining its power grid, with El Niño raising the odds of hotter, drier conditions later this summer. Energy geopolitics: With U.S.-Iran talks in focus, warnings highlight how Strait of Hormuz disruptions can ripple into global oil and gas prices. Local governance & environment: Florence, Alabama, secured $1.5M for Jeffries Creek water and sewer upgrades, aiming to reduce pollution and expand infrastructure. Media & oversight: Research argues local newspaper decline weakens public visibility and scrutiny that can shape corporate social responsibility. Labor & community services: Nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital in Wisconsin are pushing for a union vote over staffing and responsiveness concerns.

Energy & Climate Policy: The federal government issued an environmental review aimed at restarting local oil and gas leasing in Kern and eight Central California counties, arguing new air and water data show drilling would contribute less than 0.1% of regional air pollution—while wildfire, mobile sources, and agriculture do more. Public Health & Environment: A new study highlights Salt Lake City as one of the safest metro areas for bicycling, even as other places struggle with cyclist risk. Agriculture & Emissions: Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited Mankato to push a plan for local farm co-ops to produce ammonia using wind power, framing it as a way to cut fertilizer price shocks and reduce reliance on global shipping disruptions. Space & Long-Term Presence: NASA laid out plans for a Moon base “hundreds of square miles” wide, with three new missions targeted by end of 2026. Community & Access: Interior announced major expansions to hunting and fishing access across federal lands. Housing Equity: Michigan’s LGBTQ+ seniors face a housing system not built for them, with discrimination and paperwork barriers driving instability. Extreme Weather: Northeast Montana is bracing for a severe heat wave this week.

Coastal Climate Funding Cuts: A new push to cut science funding is raising alarms that coastal communities will face bigger forecasting and preparedness gaps—especially as storms intensify faster and flood risk climbs with sea-level rise. Heat-Resilient Stormwater: Cities are swapping dark asphalt for cooler, water-absorbing surfaces like porous paving and native plant panels to reduce runoff and flooding. Chesapeake Bay Oxygen Watch: The Bay’s annual dead zone is expected to be relatively mild this summer, driven by lower spring nitrogen loads, though heat and rain can still swing outcomes. PFAS Accountability Pressure: A Transport Canada document shows officials discussed firefighting-foam PFAS contamination years before residents were told—fueling calls for faster public warnings. Data Center Backlash: Records allege foreign money is fueling U.S. data-center opposition, while another report flags how grid strain from AI and electrification is becoming a real-world manufacturing risk. Health Alerts: Tick bites are surging this spring, and a new Ebola outbreak in Congo is testing response speed as cases and deaths rise.

Coastal Crisis: A new study warns New Orleans has reached a “point of no return,” with rising seas and wetland loss pushing the city toward being surrounded by ocean within decades, urging residents to start relocating. Climate & Weather Watch: Utah’s drought is worsening as record-low snowpack melts, but forecasters are dangling a possible El Niño-driven uptick in summer precipitation. Water & Ecosystems: Florida’s Army Corps and South Florida Water Management District are under fire in a guest commentary arguing recent “conservation” operations sacrificed fresh water to the Caloosahatchee without real system-wide protections. Mapping for Resilience: Florida’s seafloor mapping effort hit a major milestone, with new LiDAR and sonar data expected to go public in fall 2026. Policy Pressure: Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge oversight is in limbo as a pending federal decision could end protections at the former Jefferson Proving Ground. Energy Transition: Utah’s nuclear push got fresh momentum at the Operation Gigawatt Summit, with federal officials backing more reactors.

Coastal Restoration Push: Virginia is proposing a phased oyster reef rebuild that would more than double rehabilitated reefs in the Chesapeake Bay, starting with a $50M, 275-acre project in 2028 aimed at the productive lower Pocomoke and Tangier sounds. Climate Tech Watch: NASA is moving to use AI plus satellites to spot harmful algae blooms early, aiming to protect water, ecosystems, and fisheries before outbreaks turn dangerous. Energy & Security Supply Chains: The U.S. is hunting for tungsten outside China as war demand strains supplies, with South Korea’s Sangdong mine highlighted as a rare large-scale source. Policy & Public Health: Ohio’s Lake Erie restoration update shows progress toward delisting “Areas of Concern,” including removing five beneficial use impairments in 2024-2025. International Tensions: U.S.-Iran talks are still uncertain as Trump says the U.S. won’t rush a deal while Iran signals disputes over key terms. Local Environment & Invasives: Reports warn about jumping worms spreading across the U.S., damaging soil and hard to eradicate.