AGP Executive Report

Severe Weather & Recovery: Storms earlier this week left parts of Western Pennsylvania still scrambling for power and cleanup, with utilities reporting tens of thousands of outages at the peak and crews working toward full restoration by Sunday. Local Impacts: Presque Isle State Park is expected to stay closed through Sunday as crews clear downed trees and repair power poles and lines. Hazmat Disruption: A hazardous materials leak shut down portions of I-83 in York County again Saturday after an earlier Friday incident, with PennDOT and state police coordinating lane closures. Water & Infrastructure: Clearfield Borough moved to expedite stormwater system repairs on Reighard Street after flooding damage, with permits under DEP review and FEMA/PEMA funding in play. Wildlife & Habitat: Volunteers are working to restore “The Pumpy” fishing spot in Schuylkill County, but final DEP approval and funding remain hurdles. Energy Transition: A new DOE-backed study estimates EV charging grid upgrade costs in Pennsylvania could reach up to $2.3 billion without managed charging, while planning could cut that by more than half. Policy Watch: The SEC filed court action to force proxy adviser Institutional Shareholder Services to comply with a subpoena tied to its records and oversight.

Data Center Backlash & Jobs: Pennsylvania’s job market looks steady but hiring growth is slowing, and a new Keystone Research Center report flags that data centers could bring construction work while also straining electricity, water, land, and infrastructure. Air Pollution Accountability: Shell Chemicals Appalachia agreed to a $15 million settlement with DEP over air pollution violations at its Beaver County ethane cracker, including a civil penalty and a Beaver County Environment and Community Fund. Clean Water Law Fight: Energy Transfer is asking a court to strike parts of Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law as unconstitutionally vague, arguing criminal liability could apply even without a “guilty mind.” Severe Weather Impacts: Western Pennsylvania crews continued storm cleanup after flooding, downed trees, and widespread outages hit the region, including at Star Lake where concertgoers faced rushing water. Climate Goals Falling Behind: A new report says many states that set 2030 emissions targets are cutting or abandoning them as they miss milestones and face inflation pressure. Public Health: Philadelphia confirmed its first four human West Nile virus cases of the year and urged residents to reduce mosquito breeding. Local Stormwater Repairs: Clearfield Borough moved to expedite Reighard Street stormwater system work after FEMA/PEMA funding tied to last year’s flooding.

Storm Recovery & Flooding: Western Pennsylvania cleanup continued after record rainfall and severe storms Thursday, with Pittsburgh seeing over two inches and Erie declaring a state of emergency as winds, hail, debris, and outages hit the region. Air Pollution Enforcement: DEP announced Shell Chemicals Appalachia will pay a $15 million settlement over Beaver County air violations, including a $7.5 million civil penalty and a new community environment fund. Clean Water & Legal Fight: A pipeline operator tied to a jet fuel spill is asking courts to weaken Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, arguing parts of the statute are too vague for criminal liability. Mosquito-Borne Health: Philadelphia confirmed its first four human West Nile cases of 2026 and urged residents to prevent mosquito breeding by removing standing water and using repellent. Data Centers & Local Control: State Reps. Walsh and Pugh urged action as the Senate returns, pushing transparency and safeguards against data center impacts like rates, noise/light pollution, and water use. Forest & Wildlife Governance: A Wildlife Management Institute study reviewed Pennsylvania’s Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission, recommending some shared enforcement and consolidated services while stopping short of a full merger. PFAS/Water Rule Threat: USDA proposed rescinding the Roadless Rule, which would affect roadless areas across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest.

Severe Weather & Flooding: Storms slammed western Pennsylvania Thursday night, knocking out power for tens of thousands, flooding roads, and forcing school closures or remote learning as flash-flood warnings lingered. Local Infrastructure: Dauphin County closed a damaged Millersburg road segment after storm damage, with officials investigating before reopening. Wildlife & Conservation Policy: A new independent report urges Pennsylvania to consolidate parts of the Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission to avert reserve shortfalls, with potential savings of about $34 million a year. Data Centers & Energy Costs: Pennsylvania politics is turning data-center criticism into a campaign issue, including Shapiro’s executive order requiring local approval before DEP reviews permits, while a report warns small businesses could face higher power bills. Landfill Climate Tech: Casella and Waga Energy brought a third renewable natural gas facility online at the McKean Landfill, upgrading landfill gas into pipeline-quality RNG. Public Health & PFAS: A UCSF-led study explores how “forever chemicals” (PFAS) may affect proteins in placental cells, adding to concerns about pregnancy risks. Wildlife Tourism: Elk rut season is underway in Elk Country, drawing large crowds to watch bulls bugle and spar in Pennsylvania’s managed habitat. Education & Training: Danville students used drone skills tied to PA Farm Bill grants, showing how ag programs are building hands-on workforce pipelines. Recycling Innovation: Reju opened its first U.S. research and development center in Conshohocken to scale textile recycling technologies.

Severe Storms & Flooding: Erie declared a state of emergency after overnight storms knocked down trees and power lines and damaged streets, with crews working to reopen roads and residents urged to treat downed lines as live. Flood Risk & Infrastructure: Salem police temporarily closed an intersection in Salem due to severe roadway flooding, with water beginning to recede but pockets remaining. Data Centers & Local Control: Upper Burrell residents packed a meeting to challenge a major hyperscale data center’s progress, pressing for more transparency and raising concerns about impacts and permitting; the fight is part of a broader wave of state and local scrutiny. Ag & Water-Smart Learning: Pennsylvania’s Farm Bill Ag and Youth Grants drew attention in Danville, where students used drones in environmental science and veterinary training tied to the state’s agriculture push. Wildlife Recovery: A snapping turtle named Dino, injured in Pennsylvania, returned to the wild after surgery to remove hooks from his throat. Public Lands for Healing: Pennsylvania state parks expanded “Recovery in Nature” events for people in substance use recovery, pairing trails and waterways with DDAP and DCNR support. Energy Development: FirstEnergy named Jon Dormo to lead generation project development as electricity demand rises.

Renewable Gas Expansion: Casella Waste Systems and Waga Energy started up a third renewable natural gas facility at McKean Landfill in Mount Jewett, using Waga’s WAGABOX tech to upgrade landfill gas to pipeline-quality RNG. Flooding Risk: A flood watch covers much of central Pennsylvania through Thursday night, with a flood warning around Penns Creek as repeated heavy rain raises flash-flood odds. Data Centers vs. Communities: Pennsylvania’s electricity outlook flags big demand growth from data centers and other large loads, while national reporting shows voter backlash and political pushback against new AI power-hungry facilities. Sewage Overflows in Heat: Philadelphia faces a compound threat of extreme heat and storms, with stormwater and sewage systems at risk of backing up into streets during heavy downpours. Scrap Yard Fire Oversight: A New Jersey push for tougher scrap yard scrutiny follows reports of repeated fires tied to lithium-ion batteries, with Pennsylvania mentioned as lacking a single clear oversight agency. Public Power/Planning: PennDOT is holding a Butler County open house for maintenance jobs, as agencies prepare for ongoing weather and infrastructure needs.

Severe Weather: Another round of damaging storms and flash-flood risk is expected to linger across Pennsylvania and the Northeast, with forecasters warning of heavy rain, hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. Water & Wastewater Oversight: Bethlehem City Council approved monthly, sworn wastewater compliance reporting tied to its DEP consent order, aiming to boost transparency on permit violations and corrective actions. Tick-Borne Disease Policy: Pennsylvania lawmakers heard testimony on the limits of reporting for tick-borne illnesses beyond Lyme, with proposals to improve public health tracking for diseases spread by ticks. Mosquito-Borne Health: West Nile virus was detected in Greene County mosquitoes, prompting continued targeted mosquito control and public precautions. Energy & Land Use: A new statewide land-screening tool is rolling out for utility-scale solar and storage developers, promising faster parcel-level feasibility checks amid grid and permitting constraints. Data Centers Backlash: The fight over AI data centers keeps heating up, with Pennsylvania-area coverage highlighting growing community scrutiny and the political pushback against new facilities. Agriculture Impacts: Farmers and fruit growers are still absorbing weather-driven losses and higher input costs, including fertilizer price spikes and crop damage from extreme swings in temperature. Wildlife Rescue: A badly injured snapping turtle was freed after rescue and surgery to remove fish hooks from its throat.

Severe Storms & Flood Risk: Strong storms tore through parts of South Jersey and Pennsylvania Tuesday night, toppling trees, damaging homes, and knocking out power, with more damaging wind, hail, and flash-flood risk expected to return to the Philadelphia region into Wednesday night and Thursday. Heat Disruptions: Central Pennsylvania school districts adjusted schedules due to extreme heat, including early dismissals and remote-learning shifts at select schools. Flooding Pattern in Philly Region: A local analysis points to an unusually flood-prone season, with the Philadelphia area seeing far more flood warnings than a typical year—linked to hotter conditions that boost rainfall and worsen downpours. Tornado Preparedness (Lancaster): An editorial urges Lancaster County residents to treat tornado alerts seriously after recent tornado damage and warnings. Data Centers vs. Communities: The political fight over data centers keeps intensifying, with Pennsylvania’s permitting review facing new restrictions and national debate heating up as leaders warn opponents could be “backwards and poor.” Gun Detection in Schools: ZeroEyes renewed its AI gun-detection and situational-awareness program with Central Valley School District in Beaver County. Climate Target Missed: The UN says the world will miss the 1.5°C warming goal and must focus on limiting “overshoot” and eventually bringing temperatures back down.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Pennsylvania’s PUC projects data centers and related power plants could drive nearly a 19%-per-year jump in electricity demand over the next five years, reshaping costs and planning for existing customers. Local Permitting Pressure: The state has launched an interactive “Data Center Permit Tracker” showing 65 planned projects, with 21 already confirmed for DEP permits—highlighting how quickly proposals are moving from planning to pollution-control reviews. Community Power Strain Debate: In Texas, regulators ordered an audit and paused new data center grid hookups amid “ghost” demand concerns—an echo of the same affordability and infrastructure worries now surfacing in Pennsylvania. Water Safety Call: State Rep. Aaron Bernstine urged DEP enforcement over recurring well-water problems at a Butler County mobile home park, where residents report no potable water and discolored water. Flood Readiness: Delaware County acquired 70 AWARE flood gauges to track river and stormwater levels in real time as extreme rain tests aging infrastructure. Wildlife Management Efficiency: A study for Pennsylvania’s Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission recommends sharing enforcement roles and reducing duplication, but stops short of merging the agencies. Severe Weather Watch: Meteorologists flagged a multi-day tornado threat affecting parts of eastern Pennsylvania and nearby states.

Data Centers & Air Permits: Trump backs an EPA proposal that would loosen federal minimum public-participation rules for certain air pollution permits tied to “minor” sources—raising alarms that communities could lose their voice as data-center power needs grow. Local Energy Costs: A Pennsylvania Sustainable Business Network report warns small businesses may end up subsidizing AI data centers as electricity costs rise across PJM, with limited ability for small firms to negotiate rates. Wildlife: The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking for tips after a juvenile bald eagle was shot in Westmoreland County; a pellet was found and the bird died from an infected wound. Deer Disease Watch: The Game Commission confirmed one epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) incident in Chester County this summer and notes testing depends on getting fresh samples. Public Health (Asthma): AAFA’s 2026 Asthma Capitals report names Allentown #1 for asthma-related emergency visits, with Philadelphia also ranking high. Weather: Storm chances are on the table for the Pittsburgh area, with strong winds the main concern and tornado risk possible. Food Safety: ByHeart says it submitted a 400-page investigation and corrective action plan to FDA as it works toward restarting powdered infant formula after a multistate botulism outbreak.

Overdose Awareness in Western Pa.: Nearly 10 years after Alexandra Slane died of fentanyl addiction, her parents in Buffalo Township marked Aug. 31 with a memorial at Sonrise Community Church and renewed support efforts for families affected by overdose. Wildlife Crime in Westmoreland: The Pennsylvania Game Commission is investigating the shooting death of a juvenile bald eagle found Aug. 25 near Beaver Run Reservoir; investigators say a pellet from an air rifle was found in the bird’s wing. Data-center politics and power pressure: National reporting highlights growing public opposition to AI data centers and renewed political pushback, with Trump warning communities will be “backwards and poor” if they resist. Local environmental access: Locust Lake State Park in Barnesville dedicated a new ADA-accessible canoe and kayak launch, expanding outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. Education with conservation focus: Greater Pike Community Foundation funded a “Trout in the Classroom” program for Dingman-Delaware Middle School sixth graders, pairing hands-on science with conservation. Crop watch: USDA crop condition updates show Pennsylvania corn ratings steady while soybean conditions dipped slightly at the national level.

Data Centers & Politics: A new wave of AI-driven data-center demand is colliding with a tighter supply of power, land, and approvals, and it’s turning into a major campaign issue in Pennsylvania—voters and candidates are increasingly split over moratoriums, local control, and who pays for electricity, noise, and other impacts. State Policy: Pennsylvania’s governor race is also being framed through health policy stakes, with coverage highlighting how federal Medicaid changes could reshape eligibility and costs for nearly 2.9 million Pennsylvanians. Weather & Storm Risk: Muggy conditions are sticking around, with on-and-off showers and thunderstorms, plus a heightened threat for damaging winds, heavy rain, and small hail into midweek. Wildlife & Community: A late-summer exhibit at Foxburg’s Red Brick Gallery spotlights Pennsylvania’s wilds through wildlife watercolors and ceramics. Health & Vaccines: A new study reports a sharp rise in parental refusal of the newborn hepatitis B vaccine in recent years, underscoring ongoing public health communication challenges. Water & Pollution: A shipping company pleaded guilty in federal court over discharges of oily waste into the sea, with fines and probation tied to violations of pollution rules.

Data Center Policy in Pennsylvania: Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order tightening environmental and transparency rules for new data centers, including GRID clean-energy/job requirements tied to permit review, proof of local approvals, limits on state agencies signing NDAs, and removing noncompliant projects from fast-track permitting. Climate & Storms: A heat-dome-driven pattern is setting up repeated downpours and flooding risk for the Northeast, with forecasters flagging heavy rain rates and possible flash flooding from Monday into Tuesday/Wednesday, plus a separate severe-storm watch/level risk for parts of Pennsylvania and the lower Hudson Valley. Ag Plastics Disposal: A Penn State look at farm plastic waste finds many farmers want to do the right thing, but costs and a weak recycling market push some toward burning—raising concerns about smoke and toxic drift. Wildlife/Environment: A report on “silent invaders” highlights CAE and OPP in small ruminants and how these long-lasting infections spread through animals and farm materials. Local Environment Governance: Pennsylvania county officials urged the state to block a landfill plan involving trucking polluted waste liquid.

Flood Watch / Heavy Rain Forecast: The National Weather Service warns a shift toward the Northeast starting Sunday could bring Monday marginal excessive-rain risk for parts of northern PA and nearby states, with Tuesday Sept. 1 looking wetter and storms potentially dumping up to ~2.5 inches per hour and local totals near 5 inches, plus gusty winds and flash flooding risk in cities and low-lying areas. Local Landfill Fight: Schuylkill County commissioners urged DEP to reject permit changes and renewal requests tied to a landfill plan, arguing leachate handling via trucking instead of a sewer pipeline could endanger nearby communities, while citing odor, litter, sump valve failures, and an unreported fire. Data Center Backlash in PA: Coverage highlights how Pennsylvania’s data center rules and fast-track moves are drawing opposition, with residents and officials questioning impacts on power, noise, and who pays the bills. Wildlife Habitat Restoration: Pennsylvania Game Commission and Ducks Unlimited dedicated restored wetland at State Game Lands 151 in Mercer County, transforming an abandoned fish farm into a waterfowl habitat project aimed at long-term benefits for wildlife and water quality. Outdoor Access / Conservation Education: Women in the Wilds at Hickory Run State Park taught fly fishing and stream ecology, focusing on lowering barriers to outdoor recreation. Local Agriculture Circularity: A regional look at breweries’ spent grain being hauled to nearby farms shows a practical reuse loop that feeds cattle and returns nutrients to soil.

Data Center Policy Clash: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order tightening rules for data center development, removing fast-track permitting and requiring local approval before DEP permits—prompting both praise and skepticism from nearby communities. Grid & Climate Pressure: A new national look at reliability warns many U.S. regions, including Pennsylvania and New York, face elevated risk of not meeting demand by 2030 as electrification and AI-driven power needs strain the grid. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasts point to a warmer, more humid stretch with showers and thunderstorms returning later this weekend, while separate reporting warns tornado risk could shift farther north and east over the coming decades. Conservation on the Ground: Mercer County’s State Game Lands 151 wetland restoration—built from an abandoned fish farm—was dedicated with partners including the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Ducks Unlimited, aiming to boost wildlife habitat and water quality. Public Health Fight: Pennsylvania’s measles-related deaths have become a transparency and vaccine debate between Shapiro and RFK Jr., with disputes over how cases are classified. Local Infrastructure: PennDOT posted Venango County road maintenance and lane-closure plans for the week of Aug. 31.

Data-Center Backlash in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania’s new executive order and the state’s GRID-linked consent framework keep drawing fire as local governments and residents push back over electricity, pollution, and permitting hurdles. Water Safety in Butler County: Bernie’s Mobile Home Park residents were told to boil water after a loss of pressure tied to a meter replacement, with lingering questions about DEP approval and follow-up. Coal Waste Cleanup in the Johnstown Area: A report from Windber Mine 37 highlights how “waste coal” piles still stain waterways with metals, even as some companies tout stream improvements. Forever-Chemicals Focus: Pennsylvania is moving to reduce PFAS spread from sewage sludge applied on farm fields. Wildlife & Habitat: The PA Game Commission and Ducks Unlimited dedicated restored wetland at State Game Lands 151 in Mercer County, aiming to boost waterfowl habitat and water quality. Invasive Species Watch: Editorial coverage warns about the spotted lanternfly’s destructive reach, including its Pennsylvania origins. Climate-Energy Research: Penn State researchers tested porous PMMA sheets for passive daytime radiative cooling, keeping a test box noticeably cooler without power. Public Health Tension: Coverage of Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak centers on disputes over how deaths were described and what the public was told.