AGP Executive Report

Clean Water Fight: EPA and the Army Corps advanced a supplemental WOTUS proposal that would sharply narrow Clean Water Act jurisdiction to perennial waters, a major shift for wetlands and landowners facing years of litigation. Wildfire Aftermath: The U.S. Forest Service mapped soil burn severity from New Mexico’s Frijoles Fire, finding most ground burned at low severity and suggesting long-term ecosystem benefits. Coastal Habitat Restoration: Rhode Island agencies and partners began restoring dune and marsh habitat at Ninigret Barrier Beach by removing invasive trees and reopening tidal creeks to boost wildlife and recreation. Air Pollution & Accountability: A New York engineer says he was fired after raising concerns about Goodyear pollution data tied to cancer risk, while New Jersey’s big AI data center project faces claims of unpermitted generator emissions. Energy Policy in Court: The DOE issued another emergency order keeping Washington’s Centralia coal plant running, even as courts have challenged the administration’s “emergency” authority. Food Safety: California warned consumers not to eat Happy Hens eggs after a Salmonella outbreak traced to the farm.

Energy & Climate Courts: A federal appeals court blocked a Trump administration order that would have kept Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant running past retirement, saying the Department of Energy overstepped emergency authority—an outcome environmental groups say could cut pollution and ratepayer costs. Great Lakes Wildlife: The administration also lifted a stop-work order on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a key effort to block invasive Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes, after officials cited new nearby juvenile carp. Water Safety: Kansas rescinded a boil-water advisory for Great Bend after repairs restored pressure and lab tests found no bacterial contamination. Data Centers & Water: Researchers say data centers aren’t the main driver of Arizona’s Colorado River crisis, but they’re expanding fast and use a lot of water—fueling local backlash as the river shrinks. EPA & Cleanup: EPA officials and a Georgia congressman are set to spotlight $6 million in brownfield funding for cleanup and redevelopment in North Georgia. Public Health: CDC reports U.S. rabies cases rose 17% this summer, linked to outbreaks and mass exposure events.

Climate Extremes: California saw August become the hottest on record, with global temperatures tied to the hottest months ever measured, underscoring how fossil-fuel emissions and El Niño–linked ocean warmth are driving extreme heat. Air & Water Pollution: Clean-water advocates rallied for sewage-free rivers in Massachusetts, pushing back on combined sewer overflow plans that still allow periodic discharges during heavy storms. Public Lands & Forests: An Alaska Native tribe and conservation groups sued to stop a Tongass old-growth logging plan covering more than 5,000 acres near Ketchikan, arguing the Forest Service failed to properly balance the forest’s multiple uses. Nuclear Oversight: The NRC is considering changes that would remove the ALARA radiation-safety expectation, a move critics say could weaken protections for workers and nearby communities as new reactors are pursued. EPA Climate Guidance: The EPA removed online Scope 3 emissions guidance resources for companies, a step lawmakers say undermines efforts to track supply-chain pollution. Energy Prices: U.S. crude hit $100 a barrel for the first time since May as markets weigh prolonged Iran-related conflict risks. Data Centers & Power: Pennsylvania’s data-center boom is raising urgent questions about electricity and water demand, with new state guardrails aimed at managing growth.

Climate Extremes: NOAA says 2026’s U.S. summer was the hottest on record, with Indiana and Ohio also hit by record-setting August rainfall and major flooding. Urban Resilience: Chicago was ranked the most climate-resilient major city on Earth, with Lake Michigan and local adaptation efforts cited as key strengths. El Niño Watch: A rapidly strengthening El Niño has a >90% chance of becoming very strong, with forecasters warning of wetter, more extreme winter conditions for parts of the U.S. PFAS Accountability: North Carolina reached a $590M settlement with chemical makers over PFAS dumped into the Cape Fear River, just as state and federal legal fights over cleanup terms continue. Endangered Species Act Fight: Multistate attorneys general sued to block Trump-era ESA changes that they say weaken protections for “harm,” critical habitat, and threatened species. Clean Water Legal Pressure: A federal appeals court ruled the Constitution doesn’t guarantee a right to clean drinking water, a blow to some public-health claims. Energy & Industry: First Environment expanded its LCFS verification team, adding eight newly qualified verifiers as California’s low-carbon fuel rules keep tightening. Coastal & Waterways: The Army Corps finished Conneaut Harbor dredging in 10 days, recycling sediment to keep Lake Erie shipping moving. Trade & Pollution Controls: CBP seized nearly $300k in imported radiators and dehumidifiers tied to identity fraud, underscoring enforcement at the border.

Climate Records: Copernicus says August was Earth’s hottest month on record, pushing global temperatures to about 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels and helping drive the U.S. through its hottest Northern Hemisphere summer yet. Public Health: A Houston-focused look at childhood obesity highlights how higher rates among Black youth, plus food costs, unsafe neighborhoods, and limited activity options, make “personal discipline” an incomplete explanation. Environmental Justice & Health: EPA and Washington Ecology will hold a Spokane-area press conference on progress removing household hazardous materials, aiming to cut local pollution risks. Energy & Environment Policy: Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno calls for ending state and local tax subsidies for data centers, arguing incentives shift costs to taxpayers amid concerns about electricity demand, water use, and environmental impacts. Ocean Protection: Groups urge the Northern Mariana Islands governor to ask the U.S. to halt or suspend deep sea mining lease plans around the Marianas. Extreme Heat & Risk: The same Copernicus reporting ties record heat to a dangerous mix of human-caused warming and a strong El Niño.

Endangered Species Act Fight: Oregon and 20 other states sued the Trump administration over rules that narrow “harm,” weaken protections for newly threatened species, and change how critical habitat is designated—moves critics say could open the door to habitat loss for imperiled wildlife. Western Energy on Public Lands: Two Colorado groups sued the Trump administration, arguing the Bureau of Land Management unlawfully leased 134,000+ acres for oil and gas in habitat tied to major pronghorn, mule deer, and elk migrations. Clean Water Act Jurisdiction: The Farm Bureau backed a proposed WOTUS rule that would clarify federal Clean Water Act coverage after years of shifting definitions, aiming to reduce uncertainty for farmers. Flood Risk & Insurance: California Ocean Science Trust released a report urging regulators to better reflect mitigation infrastructure in catastrophe models so insurance outcomes reward risk reduction. Biogas Tax Credit Guidance: The IRS issued Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit (45Z) carbon accounting guidance, including pathways for dairy and swine manure and food waste, giving producers clearer rules for claiming the credit. Invasive Species Update: The Army Corps said work to resume barriers to stop Asian carp from reaching Lake Michigan is restarting after a July pause.

Renewables Fight: A new Columbia Law School Sabin Center report says the U.S. saw a record high of local restrictions on renewable projects—865 tracked—plus 23 state actions, with 567 contested projects since 2004 and 22 canceled in 2025 (nearly 9.8 GW). Superfund Cleanup: Maine’s Brooksville is set to begin final work next month to cap and secure the long-contaminated Callahan Mine Superfund site, ending cleanup that started in 2010. Heat and Health: In Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, seniors are paying the price for oppressive heat and high power bills, with at-home deaths among people 75+ rising sharply in recent decades. Wildlife Management: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened draft plans to reduce elk winter feeding at Wyoming’s National Elk Refuge, with comments due Oct. 13. Cybersecurity: CISA added a maximum-severity N-able N-central flaw to its KEV catalog, requiring federal agencies to patch by Sept. 11. Coal Health: A new NIOSH study finds black lung has surged to its highest levels since 1978 among veteran underground coal miners.

Extreme Heat Preparedness: Massachusetts is appointing a heat resilience officer and weighing worker protections as 90-degree days rise with faster-than-average warming. Power Grid Shift: Texas’ grid is increasingly driven by solar and batteries, cutting into coal and helping blunt price spikes even as peak demand hits new highs. Public Health & Pollution: Iowa’s cancer rates remain near the top nationwide, with local groups spotlighting environmental risk factors. Plastic Pollution in Waterways: South Florida dentists’ plastic-based fillings and crown grinding are sending microplastics into wastewater systems that can’t filter them out. Wildfire Strain on Infrastructure: Oregon transportation crews are stretched thin by record wildfire response, and proposed staffing cuts could worsen road and bridge maintenance. Corporate Sustainability Claims: A new study on “greenhushing” finds firms that communicate less than outsiders can observe may see better stock performance than those that over-claim. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: A discussion highlights concerns about permanent ecosystem damage and carbon-sequestration roles of microorganisms tied to mineral nodules. Green Jobs & Industry: Pennsylvania announced a $1.6M Philips investment to expand ultrasound manufacturing in Mifflin County, creating 101 jobs.

Clean Water & Wetlands Policy: The EPA is seeking more public comments as it tries to finalize a durable rewrite of the Waters of the U.S. rule, a move that could reshape protections for wetlands nationwide. Energy R&D: The U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $12 million for space-based solar photovoltaics research, aiming to cut costs and expand domestic manufacturing for panels used in space. Wildlife Monitoring: At a West Virginia hatchery, biologists are testing tiny “backpacks” on juvenile crayfish to track survival and movement when standard tags are too large. Local Water Quality Funding: South Dakota’s DANR is accepting applications for Clean Water Act Section 319 nonpoint source grants, with a Oct. 1 deadline and a required 40% local match. Arctic Climate & Security: The EU announced a 200-million-euro package for Greenland, including education, fisheries, digital connectivity, renewable energy, and critical raw materials—part of a broader Arctic power push. Food Safety: A roundup for National Food Safety Education Month spotlights the groups doing the behind-the-scenes work on inspections, research, and lawsuits that keep pathogens out of the food supply.

Climate & Weather Watch: NOAA and other forecasters say El Niño is strengthening toward a very strong “super” event, with a high chance it persists into winter and could reshape U.S. snowfall and storm patterns. Water Stress: NASA maps show drought gripping Puerto Rico, with most of the island in drought conditions and millions affected, raising water and agriculture concerns. Clean Water Policy: A federal court ruling blocks New York’s climate “superfund” law, while another Fifth Circuit decision says there’s no constitutional right to clean water in a lead case—both underscoring how hard it is to secure protections. Energy Costs & Power Buildout: Virginia lawmakers and residents push back on rising bills and data-center growth tied to the proposed Dominion-NextEra merger, linking affordability, transmission, and eminent domain. Climate Tech & Materials: UMaine’s 3D-printed fiber-reinforced thermoplastic boat and Yazaki’s lower-carbon bamboo fiber composite highlight new U.S. and global materials work aimed at performance with lower footprints. Arctic Geopolitics: The EU pledges major Greenland investment amid renewed U.S. pressure over control, tying renewables and critical minerals to sovereignty tensions.

Heat & health: New analysis warns parts of the U.S. are edging toward “unlivable” wet-bulb heat, with days above 105°F potentially tripling as extreme heat drives a sharp rise in heat-related deaths. Cooling demand: The IEA says global air-conditioning access is still scarce in the hottest regions, but AC demand is set to surge—raising both energy and climate stakes. Energy transition politics: Iowa’s coal share ticked up in 2025, according to an Iowa Environmental Council report, sparking pushback from MidAmerican about reliability and costs. Nuclear & power infrastructure: A push to extend Diablo Canyon faces renewed criticism from ratepayer advocates, while Michigan’s Palisades plant seeks NRC restart licensing with streamlined environmental review support. Detention & environmental review: DHS is using a contractor with no environmental review experience for a Surprise, Arizona ICE facility assessment, even as the review process drags on. Local climate resilience: Solomon Islands’ Malu’u Market project is advancing with a completed 120-metre seawall and mangrove planting to protect against rising seas. Water & ecosystems: Utah biologists used rotenone in Mill Creek to clear invasive brook trout and protect native Bonneville cutthroat trout. Wildlife disease: New Mexico confirmed plague in a wild rat after multiple dog cases earlier this year, urging vigilance without signaling a widespread outbreak. Clean energy tech: Northwestern Michigan College’s geothermal exchange system targets a major emissions cut by replacing aging campus boilers.

Water Quality & Nutrients: A new U.S. Geological Survey study says excess nitrogen and phosphorus in many rivers and streams still reflect older pollution stored in soil and groundwater—meaning water quality can lag for years even after reductions, with impacts ranging from algal blooms and Gulf “dead zones” to higher costs for drinking-water utilities. PFAS Research Funding: Bennington College and other Vermont schools won a $7.9M NSF grant to build a PFAS Environmental Research Network, targeting how “forever chemicals” move through groundwater and ecosystems. Data Centers vs. Local Water: The data-center boom is colliding with small-town water systems, from major leaks and contamination disputes to rising opposition as projects multiply. Energy Efficiency Upgrade: Fort Sill’s $63M geothermal overhaul will convert more than 1,700 homes to geothermal heat pumps, aiming to cut energy use by 57%. Clean Water Court Fight: A federal court blocked New York’s $75B climate superfund act, adding to the legal pressure around major environmental spending. Air & Climate Policy: EPA is seeking more public comments as it tries to finalize a Clean Water Act rewrite that could leave most wetlands unprotected.

Clean Water & Public Lands: Hawaiʻi granted a 15-day extension for the Navy and NASA’s final environmental impact statement tied to renewing leases for the Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kōkeʻe observatory on Kauaʻi, keeping public testimony open longer. PFAS & Air/Water Enforcement: The Justice Department backed Oklahoma’s fight over a proposed primary aluminum smelter in Inola, arguing the state AG’s lawsuit is trying to block federal Clean Air Act/Clean Water Act permit review. Biodiversity Restoration: Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is closing parts of trails as part of the Poudre Headwaters effort to restore the Greenback cutthroat trout. Climate Disaster & Justice: Nepal’s flood recovery debate continues as the country sought compensation from major greenhouse-gas emitters, then reportedly backed away from that demand. Health & Environment: Puerto Rico’s Clorox recall of 6.3M Mistolin bottles raises concerns for immunocompromised travelers due to possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination. Energy Transition: Toyota pledged $280M to expand hybrid engine production in Alabama, signaling continued emphasis on hybrids amid electrification pressure.

Data Centers vs. Communities: DOJ urged a judge to protect a $100B CHIPS Act-backed Micron semiconductor hub near Syracuse from an environmental lawsuit, arguing delays would threaten national security and U.S. supply chains. Water, Power, and Noise Pressure: Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock called for a statewide data-center moratorium after visiting an OpenAI site, citing fears of higher utility costs and more water, light, and noise pollution. AI Boom Meets Local Rules: In Rapid City, South Dakota, EPA’s proposal to reduce public input on some air permits for facilities like data centers is sparking backlash, with local leaders moving to require more hearings and votes. Wildfire Aftermath: California lawmakers advanced bills that could become the first statewide standards for testing and cleaning up smoke damage in homes after major fires, aiming to end disputes over when properties are safe to reoccupy. Coastal Erosion Watch: San Clemente, California updated its Coastal Strategic Plan to widen beaches over time as storms and El Niño events continue to erode sand and threaten infrastructure. Climate Signal: The UN warned a “supersized” El Niño could reshape U.S. winter conditions, with impacts already being felt.

Clean Water Fight: EPA is reopening public comment on a proposed Clean Water Act rewrite that could leave up to 80% of U.S. wetlands unprotected, as the agency and Army try to clarify “Waters of the U.S.” definitions after major court shifts. Federal Energy Permitting: The Trump administration moved to streamline Arctic oil approvals in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, reducing project-by-project environmental reviews and aiming for faster permits. Air Quality Policy: EPA proposed fully approving North Dakota’s regional haze plan, a move that would keep multiple power sources operating without new emissions controls, while opening a 30-day comment period. Nuclear Power Restart: A nuclear restart effort gained momentum with DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory support for the NRC’s environmental review for Michigan’s Palisades plant. Data Centers & the Grid: Ceres released investor guidance on electric power risks from data center growth, urging utilities to plan for reliability and grid upgrades. Public Health: San Diego County linked a Salmonella outbreak to eggs from Happy Hens poultry farm in Ramona, with FDA testing finding the farm tied to outbreak strains. Local Environment & Courts: A federal judge signaled she may block a planned ICE facility in South County, citing likely violations of federal environmental law.

Clean Water Fight: The Trump EPA and Army Corps unveiled a revised “Waters of the U.S.” proposal that would strip federal protections from nearly all wetlands and streams, narrowing coverage to mostly permanently watered areas and opening a 30-day comment period. Air Quality & Health Costs: A Georgia Tech study in Nature says wildfire smoke has erased about a quarter of past U.S. air-quality gains, with knock-on effects for spending, productivity, and healthcare. Critical Minerals Oversight: Global Trade Watch director Melinda St. Louis testified that Trump’s critical minerals deals lack transparency, include harmful terms, and raise corruption risks. Local Water & Climate Resilience: Pasadena launched new public outreach for its first Environmental Justice Element, asking residents to map neighborhood environmental burdens. Ports & Pollution/Infrastructure: Oakland signed a design agreement with the Army Corps for a $642M harbor turning-basin widening to handle larger ships, following years of review. Energy/Permitting: Trump backs Micron’s $100B Syracuse-area chip project in court, arguing delays threaten national security despite environmental-review challenges. Wildfire Recovery: Colorado approved federal aid for recovery from the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires, including public infrastructure support.