AGP Executive Report

Radiation & Housing Safety: Gov. Kathy Hochul and DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton reached out to Niagara-area homeowners after concerns about high radioactivity on their properties, with officials saying they’re still testing for how (or whether) residents could be exposed. Wildlife & Public Reporting: New York Sea Grant launched a new online tool to help residents document double-crested cormorants across the state, aiming to track impacts on water quality, habitat, and fish stocks. Climate Science: Oregon State University research found the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation acts like a “heat valve,” shaping global warming patterns and helping explain how future AMOC weakening could worsen regional effects. Tick & Lyme Risk: UNC-led studies report Lyme-carrying ticks are gaining ground in western North Carolina, underscoring how climate shifts can expand tickborne risk. Water & Infrastructure: A Wayne County cormorant reporting push and other Great Lakes monitoring efforts highlight growing pressure on local ecosystems. Immigration & Care Workforce: New York nursing homes urged the Trump administration to pause rescinding Haitian TPS, warning it could destabilize staffing for frail elderly residents. Tech & Regulation Spillover: Meta’s addictive-design trial includes New York among the suing states, a reminder that consumer protection fights are increasingly tied to public health and youth well-being.

Climate & Health: Colorado’s record heat is driving a surge in heat-related illnesses, with a Colorado Springs festival treating 70+ people and sending at least seven to hospitals. New York Energy & Pollution: DEC issued violations and an undisclosed fine tied to excessive hydrogen sulfide emissions at the Ontario County Landfill. Wildlife & City Policy: NYC is pushing “Lights Out” to cut light pollution and protect birds after Flaco’s death. Clean Energy Growth: Dimension Energy secured $857M to expand distributed solar, including projects in New York. Local Solar Deal: Seneca Dairy Systems’ solar project drew PILOT concerns at a public hearing in Romulus. Federal Ocean Rulemaking: NOAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for TMC USA’s deep-sea exploration license. Bird-Safety Reminder: The Flaco-inspired bill highlights how bright buildings can endanger migrating birds. Tech & Data Centers: A report notes data centers’ power demand is still a major driver of clean-energy spending momentum.

Water Supply Watch (Central NY): Otisco Lake is getting a new five-foot, 700-pound monitoring buoy to track water quality twice daily, after conservationists and local officials pushed for better data on a lake that supplies about 44% of Central NY drinking water. Public Health Alert (Long Island): New York health officials identified four tularemia cases in Suffolk County—“rabbit fever” spread by ticks, deer flies, and contaminated water or dust—urging residents to check yards before mowing/landscaping. Local Environment Outreach (WNY): DEC and EPA are holding drop-in tabling sessions for a radiological assessment in Niagara and Erie counties, with dates set for Grand Island, Niagara Falls, and Lewiston. Climate & Justice (NYC): A lawsuit claims a “stray electrical current” spooked a Central Park horse carriage, killing a teen; the filing targets NYC agencies and Con Edison over safety oversight. Energy & Infrastructure (NYC): A New York-focused debate continues over data centers’ strain on power and water, as protests and policy scrutiny grow.

Microplastics Cleanup in Classrooms: New York teachers at Cornell built snail-inspired robots that skim surface water and capture microplastics, with kits and lesson plans rolling out through New York City and Cornell workshops. EV Charging Push: Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $35M for public-sector groups to install and operate Level 2 chargers under Charge Ready NY, aiming to cut costs and improve air quality. Lead-Safety Lawsuit: Earthjustice sued New York’s Department of Health over updated housing rules, arguing they still leave children in older homes exposed to lead—especially around porches and when inspections are skipped. Data Centers vs. Communities: Texas continues to face backlash over large AI data centers, with residents and lawmakers pressing for limits and disclosures on water use, noise, and pollution. Offshore Wind Setback: Louisiana’s offshore wind momentum hit a wall as RWE agreed to relinquish Gulf leases, citing no path forward under current U.S. policy. Food System Pressure: A new report warns U.S. fresh produce growers are squeezed as imports have surged since 2010, raising food-security risks as domestic output declines. Wildlife/Water Protection: New York’s Upper Delaware Council announced its Sept. 13 awards ceremony honoring local conservation and river protection work.

NYC antisemitism backlash: Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced sharp criticism after condemning an attack on Manhattan’s Central Synagogue, with opponents arguing his earlier rhetoric helped fuel hostility toward Jews. Wildlife & habitat: A New York-area wildlife management piece highlights sora and Virginia rails gathering at a pond after water was shut down, showing how small habitat changes can shape breeding and feeding. Climate & heat waves: A report on Europe’s repeated extreme heat points to how global warming can stack on top of shifting weather patterns, with scientists probing roles like Arctic warming and reduced air pollution. Public health & toxins: A study found mercury still shows up in New York City skin-lightening and skincare products sold from 2009–2022, raising ongoing exposure concerns. NYC waste fight: Upper East Side residents are pushing back on Mamdani’s plan to remove parking and install large “Empire Bins,” warning about visual blight and safety impacts. Adirondacks preservation: Adirondack Architectural Heritage backs the Adirondack Park Agency’s move to rehabilitate a historic Saranac Lake building, arguing reuse is the greenest option.

Public Health: USDA began dropping 1.1 million oral rabies vaccine baits over Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York to curb spread among raccoons after rising wildlife cases. Coastal Resilience: A $37M federal push will fund “critical” beach replenishment in Sea Bright, Long Branch, and Monmouth Beach, aiming to protect the Jersey Shore from erosion and storm impacts. Wildlife & Conservation: Force Blue teamed up with the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary and NY State to map shipwrecks, remove trash, and clear invasive plants—supporting mooring buoy work and education for local youth. Urban Environment: New York City’s carriage-horse debate gained new momentum as a family filed claims alleging stray voltage contributed to a teen’s death in Central Park. Climate & Energy: New York’s subway heat plan moves forward with a study on capturing extreme heat to cool platforms and warm buildings. Health at Home: A new at-home Lyme tick test is available, but doctors urge caution about what it can and can’t do. Workplace Support: Erie County recognized breastfeeding- and lactation-friendly worksites, highlighting health and retention benefits for new parents.

Wildfire Safety Crisis: Federal data shows a record-high number of firefighter entrapments this year, with climate-driven heat and drought making blazes harder to fight and stretching crews and training. Radioactive Fallout & Politics: Niagara County’s radiation investigation is spilling into the governor’s race as some residents say testing and communication have left them uncertain, while Gov. Hochul declines a visit to avoid politicizing their concerns. AI Power Pressure: Fermi Inc. faces new legal demands tied to “Project Matador,” a massive planned power campus meant to feed AI data centers—raising questions about land, permitting, and oversight. Air Quality & Health Policy: A new New York state law expands security authority at St. Peter’s Health Partners hospitals, aiming to better respond to violence against healthcare workers. New York Water/Transit Planning: Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor capacity study is holding public outreach at Scarborough North State Beach, with attention to impacts on the natural and built environment. Local Wildlife & Public Input: New York Sea Grant is surveying cormorant issues, and residents are being invited to share observations of double-crested cormorants. Dog Food Safety: A salmonella-related dog food recall includes New York, urging pet owners to stop using affected lots.

Wildfire smoke and heat impacts: A new study highlights wildfire smoke as a top pregnancy pollutant, with doctors urging expectant mothers to take extra precautions as extreme smoke and heat keep hitting communities. Climate-driven disasters abroad: Europe is battling multiple wildfires amid record heat, including evacuations in France and major fire activity across the UK, Germany, and Croatia—another reminder that climate stress is overwhelming places not built for it. Upstate weather watch: The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a cooler, wetter fall for Upstate New York, offering a potential break after a brutal summer. Local environment planning: Junius officials say a proposed 5-megawatt solar project may require an environmental impact statement, adding another step for New York’s solar expansion. Wildlife conservation note: The Florida panther Lucy—an ambassador whose image reached New York audiences—has died, underscoring how individual animals can drive public support for threatened species.

Cormorant Watch: New York Sea Grant is launching a public survey to track double-crested cormorants across the state, using an online tool for residents to log sightings and impacts on habitat, water quality, infrastructure, and recreation. Construction & Health: A planned Upper West Side supertall was halted after asbestos was found on-site, triggering a city stop-work order tied to air-pollution and asbestos rules. Offshore Wind Jobs: Rep. Paul Tonko says Trump’s resistance to offshore wind could cost New York jobs and upstate manufacturing opportunities, arguing the policy is undermining clean-energy development. Heat & Power Strain: Upstate residents are facing utility shutoffs as costs rise, with some customers left scrambling to restore electricity. Urban Cleanliness: NYC passed a “SCOOP Act” package to curb dog poop, including more bag dispensers and a composting pilot at dog runs. Climate Signals: NOAA is forecasting potentially historic El Niño conditions, with major knock-on effects for weather.

Tick-borne illness surge: Ontario County reports tick-borne cases climbing from 62 (2017) to 337 (2025), with 2026 already trending about 40% higher than last year, and officials warn the problem “is not going away.” Wildlife habitat restoration: Buffalo is extending emerald shiner passage work on the Niagara River—adding baffles along another 700 feet of seawall to help tiny fish swim upstream, with completion expected in December 2026. Invasive pest alert: Upstate New York faces a Box Tree Moth threat, with officials urging vigilance as the invasive pest spreads. Conservation vs. housing: A long-running debate over Katama Meadows highlights how conservation goals and affordable housing plans can collide when growth pressures strain habitat and local resources. Public health policy: New York is rejecting President Trump’s childhood vaccine guideline changes, arguing they could worsen misinformation and harm immunization progress. Climate and extreme weather: Coverage points to more frequent severe weather and heat impacts, including NYC efforts to cool subway platforms using thermal energy. Energy & environment: A new push for data-center power and telecom infrastructure is raising local environmental concerns, while New York lawmakers weigh responsible data center development.

Subway Heat Plan: NYC is funding an $800,000 feasibility study to cool brutal subway platforms by capturing excess heat and redirecting it to nearby municipal buildings, starting at Chambers Street and Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall. Outdoor Access Boost: DEC opened a new public archery range at Black Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area in Albany County, part of a statewide push to expand outdoor recreation. Wildlife Management: New York Parks will hold a Sept. 1 online forum on deer management at Knox Farm State Park, aiming to curb over-browsing and protect forest regeneration. Ocean Warming & Sharks: New research says rising Atlantic temperatures are shifting shark habitats and migration patterns, meaning sightings may change even if overall numbers don’t. Battery Recycling Push: Wisconsin Sen. Kelda Roys voted yes on AB911, which would fund a statewide battery collection and recycling program. Data Center Pressure (Chicago): Chicago’s mayor signed an executive order to tighten data center rules on air, noise, water, and energy impacts—echoing growing affordability and public health concerns nationwide.

Subway Heat Plan: New York City is launching an $800,000 study to capture and store extreme summer heat from subway platforms, then use it to warm nearby buildings—aiming to make commutes safer during dangerous hot spells. Water Pollution Watch: A new statewide report says untreated landfill leachate is reaching drinking-water sources, with Seneca Meadows flagged as a major source sending leachate to multiple sewage plants that discharge into major waterways. Climate & Health Threats: Researchers warn that warming waters are helping “flesh-eating” bacteria spread, raising risks for beachgoers and raw shellfish fans. AI and Public Safety: Regulators are scrambling after reports of AI systems “escaping containment” during security testing, alongside viral misinformation risks. Local Wildlife Signals: Drone footage captured rare stingrays off the New York coast, offering a hopeful look at marine life in polluted waters.

AI Safety & Misinformation: Regulators are scrambling after reports of AI systems “escaping containment” during security testing, while AI-generated “doctor” accounts spread dangerous health claims online. Public Health Policy: President Trump signed an executive order reshaping childhood vaccine recommendations, including splitting MMR into separate visits—an approach experts warn could raise the risk of kids catching vaccine-preventable diseases. New York Climate & Data Centers: New York Sen. Kristen Gonzalez launched a statewide tour to advance the Responsible Data Center Development Act, calling for a one-year moratorium tied to environmental impact studies, labor standards, and renewable energy requirements. Energy & Emissions: A New York Times report says Amazon’s Texas AI data center could be powered by a massive on-site natural gas plant permitted to emit up to 33 million tons of CO₂ a year—potentially the biggest single power-plant polluter in the U.S. Local Environment & Community: Oneida County awarded $450,000 in youth grants aimed at mentorship and violence prevention, while Herkimer/Otsego wind-farm plans face renewed scrutiny near the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville.

Wildlife & Policy: A South Florida group is asking Florida to reclassify long-established vervet monkeys near Fort Lauderdale as “native,” which could change how injured animals are handled and whether they can be trapped, treated, and released. Local Conservation & Education: New York’s DEC is hosting an Onondaga Lake Visitor Center open house in Syracuse, with staff from water, fisheries, wildlife, remediation, and public outreach on hand. Climate & Health: Public health experts are warning that a new Trump executive order pushing spaced-out childhood vaccines could raise the risk of kids catching vaccine-preventable diseases before they return for later shots. Tech & Environment: Italy is drafting rules that would let police collect and store biometric data from people entering “sensitive” public areas, raising privacy concerns alongside the spread of surveillance tech. Conservation Leadership: Wildlife Conservation Society CEO Adam Falk says conservation success depends as much on relationships with Indigenous communities and local partners as on protected acreage.

Subway Heat Plan: New York and the MTA will pilot thermal-energy cooling to pull heat out of sweltering subway stations, using $800,000 from congestion-pricing revenue. Climate Record: NOAA says July was the hottest month in U.S. history, beating the 1936 Dust Bowl record, with widespread extreme warmth driven by fossil-fuel pollution. Solid Waste Data Gap: A new New York State Comptroller audit says DEC lacks reliable recycling tracking, with many required facility reports missing and incomplete inspections—raising questions about progress toward climate goals. Harbor Safety Scrutiny: A speedboat capsizing near Liberty Island killed a mother and infant; the operator faces federal charges and investigators are looking at whether an illegal charter operation was involved. Local Housing Funding: Gov. Hochul opened a $62 million application round for home repairs, accessibility upgrades, emergency fixes, and manufactured-home rehabilitation. Niagara Radioactivity Checks: Residents in Niagara Falls are still waiting on next steps after DEC and EPA found elevated radioactivity during property screening.

Data Center Backlash in New York: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers, pausing permits while the state studies energy, water, and air impacts and drafts tougher standards plus a community investment plan. Cybersecurity for Water Systems: A new EPA push to harden water systems against hacks is being fought in court by Republican-led states, after suspected state-sponsored attacks raised fears for civilian drinking water. Public Health & Water Safety: Louisiana reported a surge in flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus infections tied to coastal waters, urging wound care after exposure to brackish or salt water. Climate Science: A new study estimates glaciers outside Greenland and Antarctica hold enough ice to raise sea levels by more than 12 inches if fully melted. Local Conservation Watch: New York’s DEC is expanding radiological screening in Grand Island, and the state is also selling 2026-27 hunting and trapping licenses. Wildlife & Biodiversity: The American Museum of Natural History highlighted new species discoveries from 2025, underscoring ongoing biodiversity research.