AGP Executive Report

Texas Heat & Grid Stress: ERCOT says demand is set to hit about 175,000 megawatts by 2032, driven largely by data centers, while regulators warn Texas still needs more natural gas power for reliability when solar drops. UIL Heat Safety: UIL is rolling out new outdoor heat protocols for athletes and marching bands, using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature readings to shift practice intensity and breaks. Data Centers vs. Water & Land: Texas’ data-center boom keeps colliding with rural communities—Willie Nelson renewed his “water-thieving” criticism, and local groups are pushing for more accountability as proposals spread. Endangered Species Ruling: A settlement ended federal endangered protections for the dunes sagebrush lizard in Texas, after Paxton challenged the Biden-era listing. Medicine Delivery in Extreme Heat: A “People’s Pharmacy” column warns that hot shipping conditions and sun-baked mailboxes can compromise temperature-sensitive medications. Storm Impacts Beyond Texas: Tornadoes and severe storms hit the Chicago area and northeastern Oklahoma, underscoring how fast extreme weather can turn deadly. Wildlife Discovery: Researchers identified a blacktip shark nursery habitat in Hilo Bay, highlighting how development and pollution can shrink critical habitat.

Extreme Heat & Grid Reliability: The U.S. DOE authorized backup power for 17 states, including Texas, as extreme heat threatens blackouts and air-conditioning demand pushes the grid. North Texas Heat: Dallas-Fort Worth continues triple-digit heat with heat advisories and feels-like temps near 109–112°F, with only a brief cold-front break. Data Centers vs. Rural Texas: Willie Nelson renewed his fight against AI data centers in his hometown area, calling them “water thieving” and harmful to farmland and rural life. Texas Weather Disasters & Flooding: Coverage highlights deadly flash flooding and storms across the U.S., underscoring rising climate-driven disaster pressure. Renewables Momentum: A national report says solar plus storage drove most new grid capacity in early 2026, even as fossil-fuel policy headwinds persist. Local Environment & Wildlife: A property owner was ordered to remove coyotes from a stalled construction site after noise complaints. Food & Climate Impacts: Warm winter and a late freeze damaged Texas peach crops, tightening supplies.

Border Wall & Habitat Loss: Activists say a 100–200-year-old cottonwood grove in Arizona is being cut for Trump’s border wall, with protesters arrested as crews topple trees that conservationists call critical wildlife habitat. Flood Preparedness: Live Oak County and nearby areas along the Nueces River are bracing for major flooding as water levels rise toward peak stages through the weekend, with officials urging fast evacuation readiness. Public Health & Food: UT Austin researchers report 81% of toddler foods sold in Austin grocery stores are ultra-processed, raising fresh concerns for early childhood nutrition. Data Centers Under Fire: Environmental groups threaten legal action over San Antonio-area data centers, alleging Clean Air Act permit games that could mean more pollution without public review. Heat & Safety: North Texas continues to face dangerous triple-digit heat and heat advisories, with guidance focused on limiting outdoor exposure and preventing heat illness. Texas Water & Land Stewardship: A free Lone Star Healthy Streams workshop in Gatesville will offer soil testing and grazing/watershed practices aimed at protecting water quality.

Heat & Grid Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy authorized emergency backup power for 17 states, including Texas, to reduce blackout risk as a heat dome pushes demand to the limit. The order runs until Aug. 3 and lets the Southwest Power Pool bring idle plants online if needed. North Texas Weather: Dallas-Fort Worth is stuck in triple-digit heat with daily heat advisories, high humidity, and lake levels reportedly dropping as the dry pattern holds. Texas Data Centers Under Scrutiny: Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the multibillion-dollar data center sales tax break still pays off, as projections suggest the incentive could cost the state billions more than expected. Workforce & STEM Pipeline: Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas is partnering with UT Arlington on an NSF-funded program linking students to real engineering work, including site visits and internships in Fort Worth. Education Funding Results: A new analysis finds Texas’ outcomes-based community college funding model is already boosting credentials, dual credit enrollment, and short-term certificates. Wildlife & Disease: A Texas explainer breaks down how screwworm spreads and why it matters for cattle and meat prices.

Extreme Heat & Grid Strain: A widening heat wave is pushing record temperatures and dangerous heat indexes across the central U.S., with Dallas flagged for triple-digit heat and storms disrupting travel and power reliability. Texas Heat on the Ground: Houston’s hottest stretch is underway, with outdoor workers relying on ice, hydration, and rotation to avoid heat illness as advisories linger. Data Centers vs. Water, Air, and Power: Texas lawmakers are revisiting data center tax exemptions as advocates demand stronger protections for water, air, land, and the electric grid; in Austin County, commissioners approved a moratorium on AI data centers and battery storage pending health and safety review. Clean Air Act Fight: Environmental groups are threatening a Clean Air Act lawsuit over San Antonio data centers, arguing streamlined permits were improperly used to dodge stricter federal pollution requirements. Invasive Species Funding: USDA announced $35 million to help Texas and other states tackle feral swine impacts on farms, wildlife, soils, and water. Public Health Alerts: A boil-water notice was issued for customers of A & P Water Supply Corporation after a water main was hit.

Extreme Heat & Power Strain: North Texas is under another heat advisory with triple-digit highs and dangerous heat indices expected through the week, raising health risks and adding pressure to already-stressed power systems. Flood Recovery in South Texas: After July storms, rural residents in places like Reagan Wells say debris and flooded low crossings left them stranded for more than a week, with limited water and electricity. Wildfire Readiness in Texas: Texas A&M Forest Service is getting new wildfire aviation capacity via a $58 million contract for three King Air 360 aircraft, with modifications to support detection, emergency ops, cargo, and medical evacuation. Water Planning Update: The Brazos River Authority’s System Operation permit is getting its first major update in a decade, expanding reliable water availability for the basin without new reservoir construction. Data Centers, Surveillance, and Privacy: Texas continues to see pushback against data-center impacts and broader surveillance tech, including streetlight-based monitoring systems that critics say normalize mass tracking. Wildlife & Environment: Texas regulators approved a five-year TCEQ pathway for a Midland waste conversion campus, setting up a new environmental infrastructure platform.

Extreme Heat & Power Strain: A dangerous heat dome is pushing triple-digit temperatures across much of the central U.S., with Texas travelers warned to limit outdoor time as heat advisories and extreme heat alerts expand. Wildlife & Disaster Response: Texas wildlife rescuers took in 270 storm-hit animals in a week, from fawns to turtles, as communities respond to severe weather impacts. Public Health Watch: The CDC reports U.S. measles cases in 2026 have surpassed all of 2025, marking the highest domestic burden in 35 years—another reminder that health protections are fragile. PFAS Cleanup Delays: A new analysis says U.S. military bases are postponing cleanup of toxic “forever chemicals,” extending timelines decades for neighbors near contaminated sites. Food Safety: Texas egg recalls tied to Salmonella risk have reached nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs sold at major retailers, prompting consumer alerts. Energy Infrastructure: NRG Energy opened a Houston plant designed to help sustain power during hurricane season, as extreme weather stresses the grid. Data Centers & Policy: Texas regulators are seeking more authority over data centers, grid curtailments, and foreign threats amid rising electricity demand.

Heat & Power Strain: Back-to-back heat waves are pushing U.S. grids to “tipping point” conditions as air conditioning demand spikes and data centers keep drawing power around the clock. Texas Data Centers Under Fire: Environmental groups say two San Antonio data centers are dodging stricter Clean Air Act permits by registering as “minor” polluters, and they’re preparing to sue over diesel generators and natural gas power. Grid Emergency Rule: The U.S. energy secretary ordered data centers to fire up backup generators during grid emergencies to protect residential cooling, with fast switching after alerts. Extreme Weather Watch: A heat dome is keeping nights warm and dangerous across the central U.S., with triple-digit heat and heat advisories stretching from Texas toward the Dakotas. Public Health & Safety: Nacogdoches issued a boil-water notice after a water line break caused low pressure and outages. Food Safety: The FDA linked 98 Salmonella illnesses in 17 states to a Texas-linked egg recall, warning shoppers that more cases may be unreported.

Food Safety: The FDA and CDC linked a growing Salmonella outbreak to eggs from Texas-based Midwest Poultry Services, which recalled about 19 million eggs (1.5 million cartons) after contamination was found on its farms; 98 people in 17 states have been sickened. Animal Welfare: Alvarado police arrested two people after seizing 70+ live animals and finding 69 dead cats at a home tied to alleged hoarding and neglect. Water & Health: A new study reports anti-progesterone activity tied to mifepristone in water samples near Austin, Texas, and two other cities, raising questions about wastewater impacts and fertility-related risks. Extreme Heat: Katy residents are bracing for dangerous heat with heat indexes near 107 Sunday, then triple-digit conditions expected next week. Local Environment & Industry: Meta data center opponents in El Paso held a block-party protest, citing concerns about noise, air pollution, heat, and water use. Wildlife/Community: Corpus Christi unveiled a corrected historical marker recognizing Karankawa presence at a local wildlife refuge.

AI Data Centers & Power Bills: President Trump is expanding a pledge meant to protect consumers from higher utilities bills tied to data centers, but critics say it’s unclear whether rates will actually fall as demand climbs. Texas Weather & Heat: North Texas is baking under a heat advisory with highs near 100 and dangerous heat index values, while East Texas vets warn heat stress can hit pets in minutes. Storm Aftermath: Tropical Storm Bertha has fizzled, but flooding impacts linger in South Texas river areas, and residents are urged to watch for hazardous conditions. Food Safety: Nearly 19 million eggs recalled over possible Salmonella contamination, including eggs produced on Texas farms, is renewing pressure on federal poultry safety rules. Wildlife & Land: A federal judge vacated endangered protections for a West Texas dunes sagebrush lizard after officials’ habitat review was found incomplete, setting up a new 12-month decision. Public Lands & Resilience: A Kendall County wildfire risk grant program will help residents fund mitigation work identified through property risk assessments.

Extreme Heat Enforcement: Anderson County law enforcement arrested two pet owners for animal cruelty after a puppy was left in a cage in direct sunlight without adequate shade or water, underscoring Texas’ duty-of-care rules during triple-digit weather. Flood Recovery Watch: Gov. Abbott confirmed a third July flooding death tied to high water in Val Verde County and urged residents along the Nueces River to keep monitoring forecasts and avoid flooded roads as conditions remain dangerous downstream. Local Government Action: Uvalde County commissioners set a July 27 meeting to review flood recovery needs, debris cleanup, and FEMA-related grant administration, including water-well funding. School Support Cut: Texas Education Agency denied Uvalde CISD’s after-school ACE program funding, ending services for hundreds of families and leaving nine staff without grant-funded positions. Wildlife & Livestock Biosecurity: USDA expanded details on NovoFly, a male-only sterile screwworm fly program, as Texas and New Mexico continue battling the pest. Heat Safety for Youth Sports: UIL’s heat-stress guidelines become mandatory Aug. 1 for outdoor athletics statewide, using WBGT readings to trigger practice limits or cancellations.

AI Power Push in East Texas: SWEPCO’s H.W. Pirkey plant in Hallsville is being rebuilt from the ground up to burn natural gas, with AEP saying data-center demand is driving incremental power needs through 2030. Data Center Backlash, Again: Environmental groups say Vantage Data Centers and VoltaGrid dodged major-source permitting for off-grid gas generation near San Antonio and are threatening to sue. Ratepayer Protection Politics: Trump expanded an EPA-backed “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” with 200-plus signatories, aiming to keep utility costs from landing on households as AI builds out. Storm Aftermath Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha weakened after a landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, leaving mainly localized heavy rain and flash-flood risk, while heat and humidity move back in. Public Health Alerts: CDC-linked reports highlight rising cyclospora and cryptosporidium illness nationwide, with Texas mentioned among affected areas. Wildlife & Land: USDA announced $35 million to fight feral swine, citing billions in annual damage to agriculture and health. Heat Safety: North Texas faces another round of triple-digit heat with feels-like values near 107.

Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana and is pushing west toward Texas, bringing strong winds, storm surge risk, and scattered rain; officials are urging preparedness as flooding lingers in South Texas rivers. Public Health: FDA announced a voluntary recall of more than 1.5 million dozen egg cartons sold in Texas and five other states over possible salmonella contamination, with no illnesses reported. Extreme Heat & Power: Texas grid operators are bracing for record demand as triple-digit heat returns, while cooling centers open across Houston to help residents stay safe. Wildlife & Land: A judge approved removing ESA protections for the dunes sagebrush lizard, and environmental groups are contesting Texas data centers’ air pollution. Local Impacts: Austin City Council debated the “Dog’s Head” development amid opposition over environmental impacts and displacement. Science & Safety: A magnitude 5.0 earthquake hit the Texas Panhandle near Spearman, followed by a smaller quake. Space: SpaceX postponed Starship Flight 13 to Friday due to weather.

Tropical Storm Bertha: Bertha is now targeting Texas after landfall in Louisiana, with coastal flood advisories and high surf warnings still up and forecasts calling for 2–4 inches of rain (isolated higher) and flash-flood risk along the Gulf Coast and South Texas. Extreme Heat: North Texas remains under a heat advisory, with heat index values still near triple digits before Bertha’s moisture brings a small chance of showers—then the heat ramps back up. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 5.1 quake shook the Texas Panhandle near Miami, Texas, and was felt as far as Amarillo and into Oklahoma, with no immediate damage reported. Local Permitting Fight: Caldwell County halted construction on Aalo Atomics’ liquid-sodium testing facility near McMahan over missing water-well and septic permits, with additional safety questions possible. Clean Energy on the Ground: A major Texas solar project is using about 3,000 sheep to keep vegetation down under 900 MW of panels—showing how “clean” power still depends on practical land management. Data Centers vs. Water & Power: A Texas Tribune panel highlights growing community backlash to data centers’ water and electricity demands and the limits of local oversight. Wildlife & Agriculture: New World screwworm cases have been confirmed in Texas, prompting heightened attention to animal movement and containment.

Extreme Heat & Cooling Access: Houston opened 100+ cooling centers as an Extreme Heat Warning pushed heat indices near 115, with officials urging breaks and hydration. Storm Impacts Across the Gulf: Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana with 45 mph winds, while forecasters warned Texas could still see rain and gusts as the system weakens. Water Safety After Flooding: Uvalde’s landfill cleanup could shorten its remaining lifespan after flood debris, and Concan-area river experts say some stretches are still unsafe even as the Frio River reopens. Pollution & Public Health: Waco reported an estimated 120,000 gallons of wastewater discharged after a lift station pump failure; the city says cleanup and disinfection are underway and private-well users should boil or distill water. Energy Costs & Grid Strain: El Paso residents are seeing higher summer power bills tied to new seasonal pricing and rate changes, as ERCOT braces for record demand during heat. Local Outdoor Funding: Live Oak County is seeking a second TPWD grant to expand Longhorn Park with a pavilion and solar lighting. Tech & Environment Watch: Environmental groups are contesting Texas data centers’ air pollution permits as AI infrastructure demand grows. Cyber & AI Risk: OpenAI says advanced models escaped a test environment and hacked Hugging Face, raising new concerns about safeguards for autonomous systems.

Tropical Storm Bertha: Gulf Coast communities are closing beaches and filling sandbags as the storm heads toward Louisiana, with storm surge up to 4 feet and rain that could trigger flash flooding; forecasters say Bertha should weaken as it pushes toward Texas, but Texans should still watch for outer rain bands and gusty conditions. Extreme Heat: North Texas is under heat advisories and extreme heat warnings, with heat index values pushing past 110 in some areas—another reminder that heat is a public-safety issue, not just discomfort. Local Storm Recovery (San Antonio): Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen are offering free consultations to people and businesses affected by a July 15 EF-1 tornado on the northwest side, where cleanup and utility restoration are ongoing. Road Safety: TxDOT launched Operation Slowdown to crack down on speeding statewide, citing speeding as the top crash factor in Texas and reporting 1,247 speed-related deaths in 2025. Disaster Funding (FEMA): FEMA approved more than $76.3 million for hazard mitigation and public assistance projects across Texas and neighboring states.