AGP Executive Report

Extreme Heat & Grid Strain: Forecasters warn a potentially record-breaking US summer heatwave—supercharged by El Niño and drought—could push heat indexes above 115°F and trigger emergency power measures, including curtailing electricity use by some data centers. Wildlife & Livestock Health: New World screwworm detections keep rising, with Texas and New Mexico still carrying active cases and new quarantines/inspector training aimed at protecting ranchers and pets. Flood Preparedness in Texas: Kerr County’s new flood siren system is in place after last year’s “Flash Flood Alley” tragedy, but officials still haven’t clearly answered when and how the sirens will activate. Power Reliability Upgrades: SWEPCO is launching a Texas Energy Fund-backed grid enhancement project in Marshall—replacing copper with more storm-resilient conductors and poles to improve reliability for nearly 200,000 customers. Data Centers vs. Communities: Texas continues to face backlash over data center water and emissions impacts, while national debate grows over how to build “sustainable” AI infrastructure without worsening local pollution and resource strain. Pet Safety for July 4: Texas A&M vet experts urge owners to keep pets away from fatty foods, onions/garlic, alcohol, and corn cobs, and to manage fireworks anxiety by keeping pets indoors in a quiet, enriched space.

Public Health: Austin Public Health found a West Nile virus–positive mosquito pool in Travis County (78733), with no human cases reported yet—officials say this signals the virus is circulating and urge precautions outdoors. Wildlife & Agriculture: Texas continues to grapple with New World screwworm risk, with new confirmations raising alarms for livestock and pets and prompting movement restrictions and county-level response. Air Quality & Industry: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality fined Freeport LNG for alleged air pollution and record-keeping violations tied to 2019, but advocates criticized the penalty as too small to deter repeat problems. Local Governance: Morris County commissioners adopted a resolution asking state lawmakers for stronger data center regulation, including transparency on projected water and electricity use and environmental impacts. Infrastructure: TxDOT began the $1.8 million Taft-area bridge replacement on U.S. 181 (about four miles east of Taft), with lane closures and detours expected through year-end. Community: Texas Conservation Awards poster contest winners were named, spotlighting youth art focused on soil and water conservation.

New World screwworm: Texas and New Mexico cases keep climbing, with APHIS reporting 29 total detections nationwide as of June 24—keeping ranchers and pet owners on alert as quarantines and transport restrictions expand. Flood safety in the Hill Country: Bandera County residents pushed for better flood warning measures after a deadly Lower Mason Creek Road crash, asking for sensor-activated lights at a dark, hard-to-see crossing. Water management fight at Medina Lake: A Medina County conservation group is calling for closure of the Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Irrigation District dam, arguing releases and drought-era practices have blocked recovery and harmed fish and wildlife. Extreme heat and public health: As July 4 approaches, Texans face hot, humid conditions and rising heat risk; officials also warn that heat can turn emergencies deadly, especially for outdoor plans and on-water recreation. Wildlife update: Gracie the missing reticulated giraffe was found safe near Leakey after nearly two weeks on the loose. Local environment watch: Texas Parks and Wildlife and other agencies continue responding to wildlife and water-related incidents, including recent boating deaths statewide.

Data Centers & Community Impacts: Fort Worth is holding public input sessions as it drafts new rules to manage fast-growing data-center development, focusing on noise, zoning, and water use. Heat & Public Safety: A major heat dome is pushing North Texas toward triple digits around the Fourth of July, with Houston expecting hot, humid conditions and only a small chance of storms. Extreme Weather Alerts: The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings across parts of the Texas Panhandle, including Donley and Collingsworth, urging people to avoid flooded roads. Screwworm Response: Arizona received a $3.74M USDA grant to boost early warning and defense against the New World screwworm, while Texas ranchers and meat sellers say the industry is bracing for impacts and urging calm to avoid panic. Transportation & Environment: Texas and Oklahoma launched a real-time traffic data-sharing system to improve crash response and travel info, including environmental sensor data. Policy & Plastics: Texas AG Ken Paxton joined a multistate lawsuit challenging California’s plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs. Workforce & Local Economy: United Way funded shipbuilding apprenticeship toolkits at Lamar State College Port Arthur, supporting paid training for defense-industry careers.

Data Centers vs. Local Water & Power: San Marcos became the first Texas city to ban data centers inside city limits, using home-rule zoning to block the boom over fears of draining local water and energy—while nearby Hays County’s pause is only symbolic. Wildlife & Livestock Health: New World screwworm keeps spreading in Texas, with USDA confirming 26 cases and quarantines tightening as officials push rapid reporting and sterile-fly releases to protect the state’s $41B cattle industry. Flood Readiness: Kerr County is set to discuss agreements tied to its new state-funded flash flood warning sirens and sensors along the Guadalupe River, with a second phase planned for 2027. Heat & Worker Safety: A new look at extreme heat highlights how outdoor workers face deadly risks and calls out weak heat protections—especially as dangerous heat warnings expand across the eastern U.S. Solar Supply Chain: Waaree Solar Americas secured a 236 MW module supply contract, with modules manufactured at its Brookshire, Texas facility—an example of Texas-linked clean energy manufacturing growth. Air Quality Watch: OSHA proposed $3.5M in fines after a chemical spill response in the Houston Ship Channel, underscoring ongoing workplace and environmental safety concerns.

Chemical Safety: OSHA proposed $3.5M in fines after a sulfuric acid spill response at BWC Terminals in Channelview, saying workers weren’t properly protected or trained. Extreme Heat: Texas Parks and Wildlife is warning visitors (and pets) to plan for dangerous holiday-weekend heat, citing 169 heat incidents at state parks in 2025 and urging frequent hydration. Heat Dome Watch: A heat dome is keeping oppressive conditions locked in across much of the eastern U.S., with heat alerts stretching from Texas to Maine. Wildlife & Air Quality: American snout butterflies are swarming during mass migration along the Texas coast, while Saharan dust is expected to add haze and reduce air quality. Outdoors & History: Texas State Parks rolled out 250th-anniversary programming for Independence Day, mixing hands-on history and nature events across dozens of sites. Water Safety: Search crews recovered a drowning victim at Lake Brownwood after a kayaker went in without a life jacket amid rough water. Local Environment Justice: Advocates highlighted worker exposure concerns tied to the Houston Ship Channel spill.

Heat & Air Quality: North Texas is starting the week hot and windy, with triple-digit feels likely and dry conditions holding through Friday before rain chances rise toward the Fourth of July. Saharan Dust: South Texas and parts of the Gulf Coast are seeing hazy skies as Saharan dust moves in, with limited impacts expected but reduced visibility. Local Recycling Policy: Longview recycling is back, but the city will now accept only plastic #1, #2, and #5 in curbside bins; everything else goes in trash, while paper and cardboard remain accepted. Extreme Weather Safety: A child is missing after going under the surface at Boerne Lake; multiple agencies are searching and the effort resumes Monday. Data Centers & Power: A new report warns that data center growth is spreading beyond big hubs into rural areas, raising grid and community strain concerns as electricity demand climbs. Wildlife & Livestock Health: Texas continues to respond to the spread of New World screwworm, with ongoing quarantines and training efforts for inspectors. Policy & Enforcement: Congress is set to move on defense and spending bills, with offshore wind flagged as a potential flashpoint in the NDAA debate.

Extreme Heat Watch: The Texas Panhandle is under a Heat Advisory tonight, with temperatures pushing 105–108°F and heat illness risks—especially in the Canadian River Valley and Palo Duro Canyon—plus guidance to stay hydrated and limit outdoor exertion. Wildlife & Livestock Biosecurity: Texas is dealing with the New World screwworm return, prompting emergency quarantines and heightened animal movement rules across multiple states as officials work to protect cattle, pets, and wildlife. Air Quality & Health: East Houston residents are still raising alarms after a massive recycling plant fire, with local air monitoring showing pollution spikes and calls for clearer answers from authorities. Energy Policy Debate: A new report argues Alberta’s industrial carbon taxes and carbon-capture rules could raise costs and make it less competitive than places like Texas—fueling the ongoing fight over how climate rules affect energy jobs. Local Nature & Water: San Antonio researchers are turning a Westside cornfield into a “slice of the moon,” highlighting how local science projects can reshape land and water use.

Extreme Heat & Air Quality: South-Central Texas is stuck in a hot, dry pattern into early July, with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s (some near 100) and heat indexes again pushing above 100; a thick Saharan dust plume is also expected to move into the Gulf/Coastal Bend, prompting respiratory precautions. Water Stress: A new national look at drought warns that water scarcity is worsening, with groundwater depletion a major driver—an issue that hits Texas hard given the High Plains aquifer’s scale. Invasive Species Watch (East Texas): After a spring storm in Carthage, residents found invasive jumping worms in their home—an alert for gardeners and land managers about soil damage risks. Livestock Biosecurity: Texas agricultural officials issued emergency quarantines across 21 counties after new New World screwworm detections, as experts stress containment and sterile-fly efforts. Local Water Infrastructure: Kerrville approved up to $500,000 for design of a new Quinlan Creek sewer line to unlock development on the north side. Community Planning: McAllen is holding a downtown entertainment district open house to gather public input on redevelopment. Wildlife Conservation: Scientists are studying how a wildfire near whooping crane nests could affect nest success, even as the flock’s recovery story continues. Data Centers Debate: A Texas Township adopted a 12-month moratorium on data center developments as residents and lawmakers press for answers on water use and impacts.

Extreme Heat & Public Safety: New heat advisories are likely as dangerous temperatures and heat index values climb across Texas and the broader region, with warnings to hydrate and plan for heat risk. Heat, Health, and Violence: A new report links hotter days with higher rates of violent crime in Texas, suggesting extreme heat can fuel impulsive behavior—especially when cooling access is limited. Saharan Dust & Air Quality: Texas is bracing for a plume of Saharan dust that could bring hazy skies and reduced air quality, with impacts expected to linger into the workweek. New World Screwworm Response: Texas agriculture officials issued emergency quarantines and updated animal movement rules as New World screwworm detections expand, including new infested zones near the border—prompting strict livestock and pet protections. Texas Water & Boating Safety: Texas Game Wardens are investigating a possible drowning at Benbrook Lake, urging life-jacket use and sober boating as wind and rough water complicate rescues. Wildlife Conservation Tech: The U.S. Interior Department is partnering with a Dallas biotech firm to build a genomic “biobanking” archive for endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Data Centers Debate: A new UT poll finds many Texans oppose data centers in their communities, adding pressure to address water and energy concerns as AI infrastructure grows. Coastal Recreation: Rep. Randy Weber introduced the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act to expand outdoor recreation and support coastal resilience along the Upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Invasive Species Watch: Texas officials and ranchers are bracing for the New World screwworm after confirmed cases expanded across the state, including Zavala, La Salle, and Gillespie counties, with local warnings and disaster declarations urging fast checks and treatment to protect cattle, pets, and wildlife. Public Health & Agriculture Response: USDA and state agencies are racing to contain the pest using surveillance, movement controls, and outreach, while cattlemen packed meetings to learn what to do next. Climate & Weather Risk: A new study argues technology like targeted cloud seeding could, in theory, steer extreme weather systems—raising big questions about feasibility and safety. Energy & Environment: Oil markets swung sharply after U.S. strikes tied to the Hormuz Strait, a reminder that geopolitical shocks can ripple into energy prices and emissions. Water & Pollution: Separate reporting highlights how air and water quality concerns can spike after major fires and how invasive species can threaten Texas waters. Policy & Values: Texas education rules requiring Bible reading drew fresh backlash, with critics warning the approach sidelines climate and other science topics.

Heat & Haze Watch (Houston): Houston faces another steamy weekend with heat index values above 100 and lingering Saharan dust that could thicken Monday’s hazy skies, with low rain chances. Border Wall & Sacred Land (El Paso region): The Trump administration is moving to condemn about 14.3 acres near Mount Cristo Rey for a border wall gap, prompting Catholic dioceses to rally against the plan and eminent-domain takings. Screwworm Pressure on Texas Livestock: USDA and lawmakers are pushing for faster, better-resourced containment as New World screwworm cases expand in Texas and ranchers worry about animal health and food-price impacts. Data Centers vs. Water & Fire Risk (Texas): New research highlights that larger data centers can mean higher fire risk and greater water needs for firefighting—fueling renewed debate in water-stressed Texas. Renewables Push (Ukraine): Octopus Energy and DTEK are partnering on rooftop solar and battery storage via a €100 million Project RISE venture, signaling continued clean-energy expansion into Texas-linked markets. Community Water Education (Austin): TPWD’s Groundwater to the Gulf (G2G) program marks 20 years of hands-on water science training for K-12 educators across Central Texas. Air Quality After Recycling Fire (Houston): East Houston residents and air monitors are still focused on pollution concerns tied to the Mammoth Metal Recycling tire fire.

Climate Litigation: State and local attorneys general are urging Congress not to pass a bill that would shield oil and gas companies from climate lawsuits, arguing local governments need their own authority to protect residents. Wildlife Protection: The Trump administration moved to weaken federal protections for endangered whooping crane habitat, raising alarms for the roughly 500 remaining wild birds. Invasive Species Threat: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is ramping up New World screwworm education across the state as cases spread, with training and a centralized resource hub for producers and wildlife managers. Data & Water Pressure from AI: A new Climate.us site is backfilling climate data access after NOAA’s climate.gov shutdown, while Microsoft highlights heavy water stewardship gains in places like San Antonio—an issue Texans keep raising as data centers expand. Local Nature Watch: A giraffe named Gracie remains missing after escaping a Hill Country ranch, with search efforts complicated by remote terrain. Heat & Air: A Saharan dust plume is expected to bring hazier skies to the Gulf Coast and Texas, with impacts mainly on visibility and air quality.

Weather Watch: NOAA says El Niño conditions are here and could intensify into a “super” event, with forecasts pointing to wetter-than-average conditions for Texas and the Gulf Coast—while other regions face drought risk. Air Quality & Fire Impacts: In southeast Houston, Air Alliance Houston says pollution readings spiked after a tire fire at the Mammoth Metal Recycling facility, even as some agencies reported levels stayed below action thresholds—residents reported headaches and urged protective steps. Cybersecurity & Public Data: Texas Parks and Wildlife is warning that a vendor incident may have exposed personal information tied to more than 3 million hunting and fishing license customers, including driver license data and passport numbers. Wildlife Health: Texas continues responding to the New World screwworm outbreak, with Texas A&M AgriLife updates for producers on surveillance and management to protect livestock and wildlife. Grid Resilience: CenterPoint reports progress on its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, including storm-resistant poles, vegetation clearing, undergrounding, and automation aimed at cutting outage minutes. Pets & Community: Calhoun County Humane Society launches a “Weekend Away” foster-to-adopt program to help dogs decompress outside kennels before adoption.

New World screwworm surge: USDA data shows the outbreak has climbed to 20 confirmed cases, with nearly all detections in Texas and one in New Mexico—prompting renewed livestock and wildlife vigilance as officials push a “One Health” response. Heat + haze impacts Texans: South Texas is seeing hazy skies from smoke aloft plus Saharan dust, with hot conditions continuing—another reminder that extreme weather is stacking risks. Border wall fight meets religious freedom: A federal eminent domain case seeks to seize land tied to Mount Cristo Rey, a Catholic “holy site,” as the administration presses ahead with border wall plans. Ranchers use regenerative grazing: Potter County ranchers are rotating cattle to help land recover, aiming to restore ecosystem health while managing calving season. Texas recycling and air concerns: A major Houston-area recycling fire is driving air monitoring and renewed questions about safety and emissions. Data + tech in Texas: Click n’ Close named a new CIO to lead cybersecurity and AI adoption, underscoring how tech and compliance pressures keep reshaping Texas business.

Wildlife Health Alert: Texas officials say rodents and other small wildlife may be behind the New World screwworm spread, as USDA reports the outbreak keeps climbing and more counties move into quarantine. Local Flood Risk: A new Houston study finds rainfall intensity has risen sharply since 1970, boosting street and flash-flood danger when storms stall. Data Breach Fallout: Texas Parks and Wildlife says a vendor breach may have exposed millions of hunting and fishing license holders’ personal data. Heat & Public Safety: South Texas faces dangerous humid heat and storm threats, with warnings urging residents to plan for heat illness and sudden downpours. Energy & Costs: Oil prices have tumbled again, and attention is turning to whether pump prices will follow. Community & Conservation: Texas Parks and Wildlife also announced new paddling trails, adding outdoor access as summer recreation ramps up.