AGP Executive Report

Data Center Clash: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered TCEQ to halt all new data center permits until ERCOT and state water regulators finish audits—aimed at forcing projects to “pay their own way” and protect the grid and water. Wildlife Land Fight: A federal judge declined to block a SpaceX land swap that would add 700+ acres to the company’s holdings inside a Texas wildlife refuge, while conservation groups vow to keep suing. Water Stress in the Rio Grande Valley: Reporting warns the river is effectively drying in stretches, putting drinking water for 15+ million people at risk as drought deepens and overuse drives the crisis. Heat & Storm Watch: Houston remains in triple-digit heat index conditions with isolated storms, while El Paso faces a flood watch with several days of heavy rain. Local Resilience Funding: West Central Texas homeowners in 19 counties can apply for FEMA-backed safe-room and storm-shelter reimbursements up to $3,000. Composting Basics: A practical guide highlights how turning food scraps into compost can cut landfill waste and help fight climate impacts. Arts With a Climate Angle: An Arlington-area festival vendor showcased crochet made from secondhand yarn and plastic bags, pitching reuse as a way to keep waste out of landfills.

Wildfire preparedness: Texas lawmakers learned that only 8 of 160 utility companies in fire-prone areas have filed wildfire mitigation plans required under HB 145, raising alarm as January deadlines approach. Energy & climate policy: The EPA rolled back major power-plant carbon rules, betting on coal and gas to fuel an AI boom—sparking fresh environmental backlash. Grid innovation in Texas: A Google-backed battery storage pilot in Texas reported 9.2GWh of stored-and-shifted energy, aiming to match carbon-free power to data center demand. Local conservation: Louisiana began stocking redfish fingerlings in coastal waters to support struggling populations and recreational fishing. Health watch: Texas Monthly reports a rise in chronic kidney disease of unknown origin among young men, with cases now documented in the U.S. Weather & heat: A new analysis says Dallas logged 52 days over 100°F this summer, with Austin also seeing extreme heat.

Plastic Pollution & Water Quality: A public meeting is set Oct. 19 on Formosa Plastics’ wastewater permit renewal in Point Comfort, where environmental groups say TCEQ’s proposed language could allow plastic discharge into Matagorda Bay instead of enforcing a clear zero-plastic limit. Local Parks Access: Post Oak Ridge State Park near Lampasas will open for day use Sept. 24, with online reservations required and limited on-site services. Heat & Infrastructure Innovation: Texas researchers at UT Arlington are testing roads mixed with recycled plastic to help asphalt resist cracking and buckling during extreme heat. Wildlife After Wildfires: In Texoma, experts warn that even after flames are out, hot, dry conditions and shrinking water sources can raise risks for animals. Data Centers & Community Impact: A 60 Minutes report highlights backlash over data centers in Texas counties, including concerns about tax deals and lack of clear project details. Energy/Industry Tech: Velocys announced its AlphaCore 800 Fischer-Tropsch reactor, aiming to scale sustainable fuels production with fewer reactors. SpaceX Launch Concerns (Louisiana): A viral map is fueling debate in Acadiana about how far SpaceX rocket launches may be heard or felt.

Extreme Heat & Drought Relief: Central Texas is still running hot—48 triple-digit days so far—but scattered showers and storms are expected late Sunday into Monday and Tuesday, with a localized flood risk on dry ground. Wildlife & Public Health: Texas ranchers are bracing for impacts from the screwworm outbreak and renewed livestock restrictions, while officials also warn residents about wildlife risks after a rabid raccoon was reported near homes. Air Quality Tech (Dallas): A Plano teen’s AI air-monitoring tool is helping fill pollution gaps in vulnerable neighborhoods, earning a national youth award and $10,000. Agriculture Research Funding: USDA is putting nearly $2 million into projects targeting emerging pests and diseases, including work led by Texas A&M AgriLife. Local Environment Costs: Houston added a $5 monthly trash fee to water bills, but the city says it won’t cover costs—raising questions about how waste services are funded. Weather Watch: North Texas faces a chance of severe storms Sunday afternoon/evening, with hail, damaging winds, and localized flooding possible.

Wildlife & Public Health: Texas police warned residents after a rabid raccoon was confirmed near homes in Hollywood Park, urging families and pets to avoid contact with sick or stray animals. Water & Infrastructure: TxDOT will close a section of Business 35 between Aransas Pass and Rockport for five days starting Sept. 21 for repairs at two railroad crossings. Climate & Water Cycle: A new World Meteorological Organization analysis says freshwater reserves are increasingly out of historical norms, with 42% of the world’s territory facing water deficits by 2025. Energy & Data Centers: A Texas-related push to penalize data centers that don’t report water use is in the news as communities weigh the environmental costs of AI power demand. Livestock & Biosecurity: The New World screwworm is back in Texas and New Mexico, raising alarms for animals and wildlife.

Border & Land Impacts: The Trump administration has begun installing new border wall panels in West Texas’ Big Bend region, with CBP saying work is underway in a 47-mile stretch of Hudspeth County—despite opposition from landowners, businesses, and ranchers and amid ongoing legal fights. Flooding & Heat Risk: A Flood Watch remains in effect for parts of Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest Wisconsin through midday Saturday, with 2–4 inches of rain possible; meanwhile, Texas-area forecasts keep emphasizing hot, humid conditions and elevated grass-fire danger in North Texas. River Restoration After Floods: In Kerrville, native grasses and trees are being replanted along the Guadalupe River after repeated flooding shut down trails; local groups say recovery is slow but some vegetation survived, supported by millions in community foundation grants. Data Centers & Water Concerns: Texas continues to face pressure over data-center growth and water reporting, while residents elsewhere question projects that pair geothermal plans with modular data centers—raising transparency and oversight demands. Higher Ed Under Political Pressure: Texas public universities have removed hundreds of core courses amid political pressure, including classes tied to gender, race, and climate topics.

Border Wall in Big Bend: The Trump administration has started building the border wall in a 47-mile stretch of Hudspeth County, with steel panels going up as landowners and local groups push back over access to Rio Grande water and impacts to the region. EPA Rollback: The Trump EPA is moving to permanently strip climate pollution limits for coal and gas power plants, drawing fresh environmental-justice and public-health alarms. Data Centers vs. Water: Governors and regulators are tightening rules on AI data centers’ power and water impacts; in Texas, officials are pushing penalties tied to water reporting and use. Battery Safety Watch: A new fire flare-up at California’s Moss Landing battery storage site—operated by Texas-based Vistra—triggered a shelter-in-place order and renewed safety concerns after the 2025 disaster. Texas Weather & Flood Risk: A major storm system is forecast to bring heavy rain and possible flooding, with Texas and the Southwest facing another round next week. Texas Road Safety: An 83-year-old in Polk County says rutted roads nearly blocked an ambulance during a medical emergency, highlighting ongoing infrastructure gaps. Wildlife & Light Pollution: Oregon wildlife advocates urge residents to turn off outdoor lights during peak migration nights to prevent bird disorientation and window strikes. Texas Jobs: Texas Workforce Commission data shows Texas added about 159,400 jobs over the past year, leading the nation in annual job growth.

Wildfire Update: Crews reached 35% containment on the Hydra Fire near Meridian, with evacuations lifted and FM 2136 reopened, though officials warn to watch for flare-ups and smoke. Water Quality Funding: The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board won a $3.84M EPA grant to cut nonpoint-source runoff pollution, backing watershed work in Plum Creek, Medina, Arroyo Colorado, Leon, and more. Outdoor Access & Habitat: TPWD is taking proposals for its Habitat and Angler Access Program for FY 2028–29, aiming to expand shoreline/bank fishing access and restore fish habitat. Extreme Heat: Abilene’s record triple-digit streak is affecting students’ daily routines as fall begins, while forecasts keep heat and fire risk in focus across North Texas. Policy & Pollution: Multiple reports highlight EPA rollbacks on power-plant climate rules, raising concerns for Texas environmental justice and air quality. Community & Nature: A Texas Parks and Wildlife grant push and local garden/education efforts underscore continued investment in habitat, stewardship, and hands-on learning.

Data Center Water & Power Pressure: A new report highlights how AI data centers can have a big “upstream” water footprint tied to electricity generation, even when facilities use little water on site—raising fresh questions for Texas as demand surges. Local Governance: Longview keeps its curbside recycling program after a tiebreaker vote, but low participation and contamination fees are driving higher costs for residents. Wildfire & Heat Safety: Harris County issues a burn ban for unincorporated areas due to prolonged dry conditions, limiting outdoor fires to reduce wildfire risk. Public Health & Water Safety: Mathis issues a boil-water notice after low disinfectant residuals are found in parts of its water system. Energy & Environment: Texas regulator actions around data-center water reporting continue to escalate, reflecting growing state scrutiny of how new tech uses local resources. Wildlife: Zebra mussels are now reported in Lake Fort Phantom Hill, adding to invasive-species concerns across Texas waters. Air Quality Risk: An F-16 crash in Michigan released hydrazine, underscoring how hazardous materials can complicate emergency response.

Wildfire Update: The Ross Fire is officially out after burning 90,000+ acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties, destroying 157 structures and damaging 140 more; officials say it was human-caused from roadside equipment/vehicle use. Heat & Water Stress: A new report flags record-high atmospheric water vapor in August—raising the odds of extreme heat and rainfall—while New Mexico’s Elephant Butte Reservoir sits at about 1.4% full, underscoring how thin Rio Grande supplies are for Texas and regional farms. Energy & Power Lines: Texas regulators approved the Howard-to-Solstice 765-kilovolt transmission line, shifting its route closer to Uvalde and potentially affecting more landowners and views in the Hill Country. AI & Public Concern: A poll finds Americans’ worry about AI’s environmental impact is rising fast, with 53% “extremely” or “very” concerned, and data centers emerging as a key local concern. Education Policy: Texas universities have dropped hundreds of courses tied to gender, environment, and LGBTQ topics after political pressure and SB 37 curriculum rules. Workforce & Resilience: Texas Workforce Commission announced TIRA grants for short-term apprenticeship training, aiming to speed up hiring for urgent industry needs after disasters.

EPA & Climate Policy: The Trump administration moved to erase climate pollution limits for coal- and gas-fired power plants, drawing sharp criticism from Texas environmental groups and raising new environmental-justice concerns. Water & Heat Impacts: Texas hospitals report a rise in chronic kidney disease of unknown origin among young farm workers, with intense heat flagged as a likely driver—especially affecting undocumented workers who face barriers to care. Coastal Health: Texas Parks and Wildlife warned beachgoers along the Gulf after red tide was detected near the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston area, with officials predicting high risk of respiratory irritation. Wildlife Protection: A new federal rule would gut Endangered Species Act habitat protections for the red wolf, putting the already tiny population at even greater risk. Local Cleanup: Texarkana’s Keep Texarkana Beautiful is set for a Fall Sweep on Sept. 26, recruiting volunteers to tackle litter and spruce up neighborhoods. Data Centers Backlash: A new push in Congress targets how data centers share electricity costs, as communities across the country— including in Texas—raise alarms about power, water, and pollution impacts.

Wildlife Watch: Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed a young black bear is “wild and free” along the Neches River in East Texas, with sightings across Anderson, Cherokee, and Henderson counties and a reminder that hunting or harming bears is illegal. Climate & Fire Risk: North Texas is stuck in near-record heat and dry conditions, keeping wildfire danger elevated as multiple blazes burn with low containment and smoke affecting air quality. Energy Policy: The G20 Energy Summit wrapped up in Houston with leaders emphasizing lower consumer costs and grid stability, while separate reporting highlights the U.S. EPA’s rollback of power-plant climate rules—an issue Texas groups are watching closely. Public Health: Kansas officials urged clinicians to be on alert for measles after travel-associated exposures, noting Texas-linked outbreaks in the region’s recent history. Local Environment & Permitting: A new Lake Travis-area sports performance facility cleared major permitting steps, including drainage and water planning. Data Centers & Water: Texas is moving to penalize data centers that don’t report water usage, adding pressure as AI-driven power demand grows.

Data Center Water Crackdown: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas water regulators to penalize data centers that didn’t respond to a state water-usage inquiry, with civil or criminal consequences now on the table. EPA Fossil-Fuel Rollback: At the G20 in Houston, the EPA moved to repeal major power-plant greenhouse-gas rules, a shift critics say will make climate pollution harder to rein in. Coastal Health Alert: Texas Parks and Wildlife is monitoring a red tide bloom along the Galveston coast after reports of respiratory irritation, with samples taken from Crystal Beach to Bolivar Peninsula. Wildlife & Fossils: UT Austin palaeontologist John Moretti and cavers found Ice Age animals preserved in water-filled passages of Bender’s Cave in Comal County. Renewables on the Ground: Matagorda County advanced road-use and repair terms for the Duffy Solar project, paired with a large battery storage plan. Grid & Security: Coast Guard and FBI boarded a Texas-bound oil tanker over a suspected foreign cyberattack, saying there were no reported environmental impacts.

EPA Rollback: The U.S. EPA moved to repeal greenhouse-gas limits for coal and gas power plants, a major climate setback that Texas environmental groups say will worsen pollution and environmental-justice impacts. Water & Data Centers: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Water Development Board to penalize data centers that don’t report water use, as concerns grow that the fast-rising industry could strain local supplies. Clean Water Act Fight: EPA and the Army Corps proposed narrowing federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction using a “perennial” standard, which could reduce protections for streams and wetlands—especially in drier parts of Texas. Wildfire Funding: Texas A&M Forest Service awarded $457,413 for 69 wildfire mitigation projects across 9,610 acres, using prescribed fire and fuel reduction to protect homes and ecosystems. Local Water Worries: A Houston-area chemical plant flare followed a power outage, underscoring how grid stress can spill into air-quality risks. Wildlife Health: Texas reported a new screwworm detection near the border with Mexico, adding to growing concerns for livestock and wildlife. Food System Funding Cut: A Rio Grande Valley food business center serving El Paso ended after the Trump administration cut the program short, leaving promised grants to wrap up. Recycling/Reuse: Samsar hit a milestone remanufacturing 1,000 Nissan Leaf batteries into new energy storage.

EPA Rollback: The Trump administration moved to scrap Biden-era limits on carbon emissions from coal and gas power plants, with EPA framing it as “cutting red tape” while critics warn it weakens climate protections. Texas Water & Data Centers: Gov. Abbott ordered the Texas Water Development Board to identify major water users, enforce reporting, and penalize data centers that miss water-use surveys—plus an ERCOT audit of data-center water data. Grid Stress Relief: A Houston-area battery project (Houston IV) began operations, adding fast backup power to help stabilize ERCOT during heat-driven demand spikes. Heat & Health: A Houston-area heat advisory stayed in effect as heat indices neared 109°F, while a new analysis links rising Legionnaires’ disease to warming and rainfall patterns. Air Pollution Watch: After a power outage, a southeast Houston plant reported unusual flaring and black smoke, with air monitoring underway. Local Action: River Forest residents voted to oppose a proposed O’Hare rail flyer through a forest preserve, citing safety and wildlife impacts. Community Pollinators: A Sept. 17 event in George West will focus on bats, bees, and butterflies and how to support pollinators.

EPA Rollback in Houston: The Trump administration is expected to scrap Biden-era carbon pollution limits for coal- and gas-fired power plants, with Lee Zeldin set to announce the change during a G20 energy meeting in Houston—an action environmental groups warn will worsen climate impacts while the administration argues it will protect the grid and lower costs. Texas Heat & Water Stress: North Texas continues to bake under heat advisories, with reports of extreme temperatures and power strain affecting residents’ ability to cool homes. Wildlife & Coasts: Texas Parks and Wildlife flagged red tide conditions near Galveston’s Bolivar Peninsula, raising concerns for beach ecosystems and seafood safety. Local Tech & Governance: Waco named a new Chief Information Officer to oversee city tech systems and cybersecurity, while communities elsewhere weigh how major infrastructure projects could reshape land and landscapes. Health & Food: A new study links oxalate-rich foods (like spinach) to worse intestinal inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease. Energy Transition Signals: Honda backed rare-earth-free magnet maker Niron Magnetics, aiming to reduce dependence on critical materials tied to EV supply chains.