AGP Executive Report

Big Bend Border Buildback: Bulldozers have started clearing land in Big Bend National Park for roads and border barriers after last-minute pleas failed, raising alarms about habitat loss and public access near the Rio Grande. Severe Weather Watch: The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings across the Texas Panhandle, including Hartley, Dallam, and Oldham counties, with damaging wind gusts and hail. Heat + Power Strain: New Mexico’s grid hit record demand during punishing heat, a reminder of how extreme temperatures stress power systems across the region. Wildlife Habitat Gains: Texas Parks and Wildlife added nearly 3,000 acres in Stephens County for the new Robbie Davis Wildlife Management Area, expanding public hunting access. Feral Hog Pressure: Texas neighborhoods are seeing rising feral hog damage as development pushes into hog travel routes, complicating control efforts and driving costly property damage. Schools + Indoor Air: Friendswood ISD delayed Westwood Elementary’s start after elevated mold levels tied to HVAC moisture spread, with HVAC and roof repairs underway.

Data Center Power Crunch: Gov. Abbott ordered ERCOT and the PUCT to audit data-center interconnection requests and pause new approvals for large loads, after a surge to 474GW of requests—mostly data centers—threatening grid planning and timelines. Semiconductor Buildout: SpaceX confirmed Terafab in Grimes County with a first-phase investment of $16.8B and 3,000 jobs, but reporting says the factory will rely on SpaceX-built natural gas power plus big batteries—raising new air and climate questions. Energy & Pollution Tech: Lummus Technology bought Shell’s environmental catalysts and systems assets, aiming to cut industrial air pollution and help customers meet emissions rules. Renewable Fuels Update: XCF Global said its New Rise Renewables Reno renewable-diesel site is back online and moving through upgrades and initial fuel sales. Wildlife & Water: Dallas animal services rescued a raccoon with a mayonnaise jar stuck on its head; and SeaWorld San Antonio received seven beluga whales from a closed Canadian marine park. Climate Outlook: The Farmers’ Almanac predicts a wetter, stormier Texas winter tied to El Niño, with possible wintry mixes.

Autonomous Tech & Safety: A new explainer breaks down how “self-driving” cars map to SAE automation levels, noting only the top tier is truly driverless. Public Health & Water: Milwaukee cut fluoride in drinking water due to supply-chain shortages, raising concerns about keeping a stable supply while officials say levels remain safe. Texas Heat Rules: The UIL now requires schools to use Wet Bulb Globe Temperature protocols for fall sports practices, with rapid cooling steps triggered at set WBGT thresholds. Texas Energy & Industry: The Railroad Commission reported 693 original drilling permits in July, with Midland leading new oil and gas activity. Data Centers & Local Impacts: Friendswood moved forward on extending a parkway to ease congestion and hurricane evacuation routes. Terafab Watch: SpaceX and Tesla reps faced Grimes County residents over the Terafab semiconductor plant, including job and utility/water commitments. Wildlife & Science: Scientists identified an extinct ice age spadefoot toad from the La Brea Tar Pits. Weather: NOAA maintained a below-normal Atlantic hurricane outlook as peak season nears.

Extreme Heat’s Real-Life Toll: A new AP-NORC poll finds Americans increasingly feel extreme heat in daily life—sleep, bills, travel plans, and outdoor time—especially in the West and Midwest, with many reporting major impacts. North Texas Fire Weather: Dallas-Fort Worth is back in triple-digit territory with muggy conditions building and only slim rain chances, raising wildfire risk as heat persists into the weekend. Texas Grid Stress: Coverage highlights how heat waves strain the power system—air conditioning demand rises while generation and equipment efficiency can drop—making outages and priority decisions more likely as data centers add load. Data Center Backlash in Texas: Multiple reports track Gov. Abbott’s pause on new data center approvals pending audits, as critics warn about grid and water strain. PFAS Accountability Push: Texas AG Ken Paxton backs a coalition amicus brief supporting North Carolina’s lawsuit against Chemours over long-running PFAS contamination. Wildlife & Water Safety: Texas Game Wardens investigated an illegal killing of a nearly 12-foot alligator in Liberty County, while other reports note local water advisories and drought impacts across the region.

Data Centers & Power Grid: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a pause on new data center approvals pending a statewide grid audit, as AI-driven demand raises alarms about electricity reliability and water impacts. Local Governance: Grimes County residents delivered a petition demanding stronger protections ahead of the SpaceX-linked Terafab push, while commissioners also approved a tax abatement for Evapco’s Navasota-area facility, spotlighting how incentives shape environmental and infrastructure burdens. Wildlife & Public Health: SeaWorld San Antonio received seven more beluga whales as relocation efforts continue, and Texarkana issued a boil-water notice for some residents after low pressure and outages. Extreme Weather & Disaster Response: A federal watchdog report says FEMA downsizing has worsened staffing gaps, threatening disaster response as climate-driven disasters intensify. Community Resilience: In rural North Carolina, nonprofits are stepping in after Tropical Storm Helene wiped out a grocery store, turning parts of the region into food deserts—an echo of the access challenges Texans know too well.

Texas Data Centers: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a pause on new data-center connections to the Texas power grid pending audits, citing ERCOT’s surge of connection requests (about 474 GW, mostly data centers) and warning it could threaten grid reliability; projects must disclose power and water use, noise/traffic plans, and ownership, with failures facing denial. Wildlife & Coasts: Texas is using discarded Christmas trees to build sand dunes on the coast, helping protect sea turtle nests and hatchlings during nesting season. Air & Climate: A new commentary argues wildfires will keep worsening until the U.S. stops ignoring the climate crisis. Energy & Markets: U.S. oil inventories are falling, raising fears of a price spike as Cushing, Oklahoma stocks drop below key thresholds. Local Policy & Access: Texas Parks and Wildlife updated hunting and fishing license rules, requiring valid ID at purchase. Community & Health: Texas court action continues as AG Ken Paxton sues proxy adviser Glass Lewis over voting advice framed as “objective” while factoring ESG/DEI.

Data Center Oversight: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas regulators to audit proposed data center grid connections, requiring developers to disclose expected electricity demand, water use, cooling plans, tax incentives, ownership, and community impacts—projects that don’t meet requirements can be denied connection. Local Impact: Fort Worth paused plans to brief council on data center rules after the statewide directive, saying staff need clarity on timing for projects already approved. Grid Pressure: ERCOT warned demand could double by 2032, with strain from extreme weather and other high-load uses. Wildfire Readiness: Abbott also activated extra state wildfire response resources for the Panhandle as August peak fire risk ramps up. Heat & Health: A new Climate Central study links hotter nights to more sleep loss, with Houston-area residents losing an estimated 7–9 hours of sleep per year. Coastal Conditions: After heavy rain and runoff lowered salinity, some Matagorda bait shops reported live shrimp shortages for anglers. Air Quality Rule: A court upheld a tougher soot standard in Harris County, pushing stricter air rules.

Workplace Heat Protections Stalled: OSHA proposed heat protections for workers, but two years later they’re still not final—raising fresh alarms as extreme heat keeps driving illness and injury risk. Texas Flood Recovery: Texas extended SNAP replacement benefits for people affected by the July 2026 floods, giving recipients until Aug. 12 to apply for food lost or destroyed. Wildfire & Drought Conditions: North Texas remains in a hot, dry stretch with ongoing fires and limited rain chances, leaving drought and fire risk likely to worsen. Data Center Scrutiny in Texas: Texas data center approvals were halted pending audits, as officials face mounting public pressure over power demand and impacts on communities. Energy Efficiency Financing: Lone Star PACE reported $64.8 million in Texas C-PACE financing in the first half of 2026, targeting energy and water savings across projects including data centers. Invasive Species Push: USDA announced a $35 million feral swine eradication program to protect farms, ranches, wildlife habitat, and livestock from invasive wild hogs. Local Water & Land Use Tensions: Border wall construction in drought-hit New Mexico was ordered to stop drilling wells after ranchers warned groundwater pumping could threaten livestock.

Border Water & Drought: Trump administration ordered border-wall crews in drought-stricken New Mexico to stop drilling new wells after ranchers warned groundwater pumping for concrete could devastate livestock and local aquifers. Clean Air in Court: The 10th Circuit revived a Clean Air Act lawsuit from environmental justice groups against Suncor, rejecting a lower-court dismissal tied to Texas-related civil actions. Heat Safety for Schools: Texas UIL’s new outdoor heat rules now use Wet Bulb Globe Temperature to decide when practices and marching band activities must pause or move indoors. Wildlife Health: After 160 black skimmer chicks died in Texas nesting colonies, researchers found two previously undocumented parasite types in the birds, adding a new threat to coastal wildlife. Drinking Water Toxics: EPA is moving toward the first nationwide drinking-water standard for perchlorate, a rocket-fuel chemical, using older national survey data plus newer state monitoring. Local Green Space Fight: EaDo residents are pushing to restore grass and trees along the promenade after FIFA Fan Fest left the area gravel-and-dirt barren. Hunting/Fishing ID Rule: Texas now requires valid ID for most hunting and fishing license purchases for people 17+.

Heat Safety Rules: Texas schools now have to measure wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) before outdoor practices, with possible breaks, cutbacks, or cancellations when heat stress is high—aimed at protecting athletes and marching bands. Waste & Recycling Tech: WM is testing remote-controlled and autonomous landfill equipment with Caterpillar, including a plan to trial an autonomous compactor after a successful remote-controlled bulldozer pilot. Water & Conservation Push: United By Nature’s Great American Water Road Trip wrapped up a long campaign drive to Washington, D.C., collecting thousands of signatures urging more protection and investment in U.S. waters. Pollinator vs. Turfgrass Fight: A new HOA-focused story highlights how some neighborhood rules block native, drought-tolerant landscaping—pushing lawmakers toward low-impact landscaping protections. Agriculture & Wildlife Health: Texas ranchers are invited to an East Texas Forage Conference featuring New World screwworm control and other pest topics. Local Environmental Infrastructure: Waste Energy says commissioning is in its final phase for its Midland waste conversion campus, targeting mid-September operations.

Climate Risk: New research finds coastal flooding is getting worse not just from rising seas, but because many shorelines are also sinking—pushing “relative sea level rise” far above the global average for hundreds of millions of people. Extreme Weather & Animals: After fast-rising floodwaters trapped two dogs in Crystal City, Texas, a Texas Army Black Hawk airlift helped reunite them with their family the next day—another reminder that flash flooding can strand pets in minutes. Local Recovery: Central Texas volunteers continue cleanup and recovery work for Kerrville flood victims, pairing debris removal with support for families still dealing with trauma. Energy/Tech & Water: San Antonio’s data-center boom is accelerating along Omicron Drive, with dozens already built and more on the way—raising fresh questions about environmental impacts and infrastructure strain. Public Safety: A man died after an SUV crashed into a retention pond near the Grand Parkway, as investigators work to determine what led to the crash.

Water Security: FBI and EPA warn that cyberattacks have hit municipal water systems in at least seven states, sometimes degrading operations—urging utilities to lock control systems down. Property Rights vs. Power Buildout: Central Texas landowners are fighting transmission-line projects and eminent domain, as the Permian Basin leans harder on electrified equipment. Extreme Heat: A heat dome is baking the West and parts of Texas, with record-risk temperatures and wildfire concerns as overnight lows stay high. Local Governance & Data Centers: Texas residents are pushing back on big data-center plans, arguing officials greenlit projects with too little transparency and too much disruption. Public Health: Texas health officials are tracking West Nile virus cases and reminding people to cut standing water and protect against mosquito bites. Wildlife & Habitat: UH-Hilo researchers report the first known blacktip shark nursery habitat in Hawaiian waters, highlighting how environmental change can reshape where young sharks survive. Animals in Crisis: Ellis County responders wrapped up a months-long hoarding case, rescuing 125+ dogs after conditions were deemed inhumane.

Heat & Storm Watch: A weak cold front brings isolated showers and thunderstorms to West Central Texas Saturday, with lightning, gusty winds and brief heavy rain possible, while DFW braces for a short-lived break before triple-digit heat returns. School Safety: UIL’s new outdoor heat rules take effect Aug. 1, requiring Wet Bulb Globe Temperature checks and stronger cooling and practice-stoppage procedures for Texas schools. Wildfire & Weather Extremes: A wildfire near Lillooet, B.C. is slowly growing at high elevation with stronger fire behavior expected, a reminder that extreme heat and smoke can drive dangerous local weather. Cyber & Water Security: Federal agencies warn that cyberattacks on municipal water utilities in multiple states forced some systems back to manual operations, with Iranian-backed hackers suspected. Data Centers, Water & Power: Texas Tribune coverage highlights religiously framed opposition to data centers across rural counties, with critics citing water and electricity demands. Local Action: AEP Texas helped clean up Lighthouse Lakes Park in Aransas Pass to protect coastal habitats. Wildlife/Health: West Nile virus tests in Hays County found positive mosquito samples.

West Nile Watch (Hays County): A fourth mosquito trap tested positive for West Nile virus in San Marcos, with no human cases reported yet. Officials say they’re monitoring and urging residents to dump standing water and use EPA-approved repellents. Air Quality (Houston region): A federal judge ruled the EPA must enforce stricter PM2.5 limits, including soot, after groups sued—potentially pushing Texas regulators to act on pollution tied to respiratory and heart disease. Transit Funding (Statewide): The Texas Transportation Commission approved $154M for public transit, including accessible vehicles and curb-to-curb rides for seniors and people with disabilities. Heat & Storms (Katy/North Texas): Heat advisories hit Katy with heat index values around 107–110, while North Texas gets a brief humidity break before triple-digit heat returns. Wildlife & Ecosystems (Research): New study finds rats on islands can reshape coral reefs by cutting seabird numbers, reducing nutrient “guano” that fertilizes reef life. Data Centers & Power (Texas): Coverage highlights how AI-driven power demand is straining grids and driving new debates over water and energy impacts.

Drinking Water Safety: Texarkana issued a boil water notice for customers south of West 15th Street and west of South State Line after a sudden pressure loss, with the advisory staying in place until lab testing clears the water. Extreme Weather: A severe thunderstorm warning hit the Texas Panhandle (including Deaf Smith, Oldham, Potter, and Randall) with 60 mph wind gusts and torrential rain that could trigger flash flooding. Heat & Schools: Texas schools must follow new mandatory wet-bulb heat safety rules for fall athletics, meaning outdoor practices could be delayed, shortened, or canceled when conditions get dangerous. Energy Reliability: The DOE ordered emergency grid actions across 17 states, including Texas, to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat and humidity. Conservation & Public Lands: TPWD is pursuing a 650-acre acquisition in Henderson County for a proposed new East Texas state park on Lake Palestine, with public comments open through Aug. 19. Local Infrastructure: Victoria scheduled multiple road and utility construction projects starting Aug. 3, with daytime closures and traffic delays expected.

Extreme Heat & Public Safety: Texas prisons are still fighting for air conditioning access, with a federal case hinging on how the state’s heat-sensitivity scoring works for medically vulnerable people. Grid Reliability Under Stress: The U.S. Department of Energy is using emergency powers to help the central grid operator prevent rolling blackouts as record heat strains power reserves. Data Centers vs. the Environment: Xcel Energy says it’s steering data-center power toward wind, solar, and storage (with backup gas) as it targets gigawatts of new load—while Texas communities keep pushing back on impacts like water and pollution. Coastal Habitat & Storm Protection: Texas beachcombing highlights railroad vine, a dune-stabilizing plant that helps protect coastlines from hurricanes and tropical storms. Wildlife & Health: A new deer research piece looks at how deer handle parasites, and East Texas vets warn pet owners to watch for rattlesnake bites during summer. Local Culture & Learning: A fossil exhibit opens at the Sherman Museum in Sherman, bringing dinosaur and marine specimens to the public.