AGP Executive Report

Offshore Wind Jobs Fight: A coalition of unions, environmentalists and politicians is urging NJ voters to back Democrats in key House races, arguing the Trump administration and Rep. Jeff Van Drew helped stall offshore wind and cost “good union jobs.” Flood Risk: The National Weather Service has flood watches for parts of northern Delaware and much of NJ, including Camden, Coastal Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean and others, with heavy rain and possible flash flooding expected late Saturday into Sunday morning. Coastal Resilience Work: Delaware’s sand bypass system at Indian River Inlet is set to run for a full winter again, moving sand from south of the inlet to the north to mimic natural coastal sand flow. Energy Permitting Court Win: A federal appeals court vacated NJ’s permit approval for a proposed $1B underwater gas pipeline between NJ and New York, saying NJDEP’s water quality certification was “arbitrary and capricious,” sending regulators back to revisit the decision. Data Center Pushback: Linden officials plan a citywide ordinance to prohibit AI data centers, citing energy and water demands, noise, greenhouse gas emissions, and strain on local infrastructure. Invasive Pests: Spotted lanternflies have spread to 22 states, with officials urging people to “kill on sight” as the insects threaten dozens of plant types, including grapevines.

Coastal Resilience: Delaware Seashore State Park says Delaware’s Indian River Inlet sand bypass system should restart around Sept. 11, running through the winter after a limited spring run. Severe Weather: A developing storm system is set to bring drenching downpours and thunderstorms across the region, with flood watches covering parts of New Jersey and nearby states from late Saturday into Sunday morning. AI Data Centers (NJ): Linden officials move to ban AI data centers citywide, citing energy, water, noise, pollution, and strain on infrastructure. Air Pollution Fight (NJ): New Jersey’s biggest planned AI data center in Vineland, DataOne Campus, is accused of operating unpermitted gas generators that may violate federal air rules. Local Water-Saving Tech: A 13-year-old Marlton coder’s Water Saver app helped drive conservation habits for more than 1 million people worldwide. Health (9/11): Rutgers’ World Trade Center Health Program reports about 6,900 New Jersey 9/11 survivors have received free care for cancers, lung disease, and mental health conditions.

PFAS Fallout in the Carolinas: North Carolina and 11 local governments reached a $455 million settlement with Chemours, DuPont and Corteva over “forever chemical” contamination tied to Fayetteville Works, with $380 million going to counties and utilities and a $135 million reserve if Chemours can’t pay. NJ Recycling Policy: NJDEP extended a compliance exemption for certain food-contact packaging under the state’s postconsumer recycled-content law, pushing the deadline from 2027 to Dec. 31, 2029—drawing criticism from the Association of Plastic Recyclers. Flood Watch for the Region: Heavy downpours are expected to return this weekend, with flash-flood risk highlighted for parts of the Philly area and the I-95 corridor. Local Health & Food Access: RWJBarnabas Health opened its sixth “Food Farmacy” in Long Branch, expanding nutrition support and counseling across multiple NJ counties. 9/11 Remembrance: Multiple ceremonies marked the 25th anniversary, including remarks from officials and survivor stories that underscore how NJ’s response and preparedness changed after the attacks.

Court Fight Over Gas Pipeline: A federal appeals court vacated New Jersey’s water-quality approval for Williams Cos.’ $1B Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline, sending the Clean Water Act certification back to NJDEP over unresolved monitoring and dredging-plan concerns for Raritan Bay. PFAS Fallout: Chemours and DuPont-related PFAS recoveries keep climbing, with new settlements reported as states push for cleanup and accountability. Endangered Species Act Pushback: NJ Attorney General Nessel joined a coalition of attorneys general suing to block federal Endangered Species Act rollbacks that weaken habitat protections. Weather Watch: A cold front clears Friday, but another storm system is set to bring showers and possible heavy rain early Sunday, raising flood-spotting concerns. 9/11 Health and Memory in NJ: New reporting highlights how toxic dust exposures still drive cancers and lung disease diagnoses for thousands of NJ residents through the World Trade Center Health Program, as the 25th anniversary brings renewed attention to long-term impacts.

PFAS & Drinking Water Costs: New Jersey American Water says its rates will rise about $4 a month on average to help meet federal PFAS requirements and other infrastructure needs. Climate Heat Watch: August was tied as the world’s hottest month on record, and sea-surface temperatures are hitting long streaks at record levels—another reminder that warming is accelerating. RGGI Consumer Relief: A new report says the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is helping offset household electricity bills in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic as demand and prices climb. AmeriCorps Funding Fight: NJ Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition reached a settlement blocking Trump administration efforts to dismantle AmeriCorps, protecting funding for FY 2026-27. Battery Fire Oversight: Two NJ members of Congress toured EMR in Camden and pushed for more oversight after lithium-ion battery fires, backing a Battery Fire Prevention Act. Local Cleanup & Recycling Tech: Jersey City’s art-and-nature themed tour highlights how communities are linking culture with the environment, while Camden officials continue tackling illegal dumping.

Endangered Species Act Fight: Twenty states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over rules that would weaken the Endangered Species Act, including narrowing what counts as “harm” to wildlife habitat and changing how critical habitat protections are handled. PFAS Fallout: Chemours, DuPont and Corteva agreed to a $455 million settlement with North Carolina and local governments over “forever chemicals” tied to Chemours’ Fayetteville Works plant, with payments spread over 15 years. NJ Weather: A warm, humid Thursday brings early rain and a possible second round late Thursday into Friday, with flooding concerns mainly tied to heavier downpours. Climate Signals: NOAA says 2026’s summer was the hottest on record for the contiguous U.S., continuing a pattern of extreme heat and rising risk for coastal communities like Atlantic City. Drought Watch: Drought worsened across parts of the central U.S., while scattered heavy rain hit areas including parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Right Whale Policy: House action delayed North Atlantic right whale protections until 2035, drawing warnings from conservationists about entanglement risk.

Endangered Species Act Fight: A coalition of 20 states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over new Endangered Species Act rules that narrow what counts as “harm” and weaken “critical habitat” protections—moves critics say could open vital wildlife habitat to development. NJ Water Pipeline Setback: The U.S. Third Circuit reversed a key New Jersey water permit for Williams’ NESE natural gas pipeline, sending the case back to NJDEP after environmental groups challenged the approval. Local Data Center Pushback: Glassboro’s City Council voted to ban data centers in all zoning districts, while Newark’s council backed a temporary moratorium to study impacts on the grid, water use, and resident utility costs. Workplace Accountability in Trenton: Gov. Mikie Sherrill declined to confirm details of an internal investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, saying complaints are taken seriously and rights protected as reports allege misconduct and ethics issues. Public Health & Environment: A Rutgers-led 9/11 recovery training legacy story highlights ongoing safety education tied to hazardous materials and disaster response.

Coastal Resilience in Stone Harbor: The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor is temporarily relocating and raising its main trail to keep up with sea-level rise, after flooding jumped from twice a year in 2000 to as often as 70 times annually. Energy & Permitting Pressure: A new report warns that offshore wind plans on the East Coast are weakening as political opposition and grid limits collide with rising power demand from electrification and data centers. EV Charging Expansion: EVgo and Regency Centers are adding more than 400 fast-charging stalls at shopping centers, including sites in New Jersey, aiming to make public charging easier where people already shop. Data Centers & Local Impacts: A local-governance op-ed argues regulators are missing major transportation costs tied to data center construction, fueling community backlash. Clean Transit Funding: Sen. Cory Booker announced $30 million for a second diesel-hybrid ferry for the Cape May–Lewes route, citing cleaner, more efficient service. NJ Climate Recognition: Maplewood Memorial Library’s renovation earned LEED Gold status, with bird-safe glass and green roofs as part of its all-electric, solar-supported design.

LIV Golf Bankruptcy in NJ: Saudi-backed LIV Golf and related entities voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey, listing about $100M–$500M in assets and $500M–$1B in liabilities, with marquee players including Jon Rahm ($7.5M) and Bryson DeChambeau ($5.7M) among major unsecured creditors; the league says it’s entering a court-supervised restructuring, backed by a $49.6M debtor-in-possession loan from Saudi’s Public Investment Fund and aiming to return to competition in 2027 under a player-first ownership model. Climate & Coasts: Rutgers researchers say sea level rise is already disrupting access and shrinking shoreline at the Rutgers Marine Field Station in Little Egg Harbor, with more frequent tidal flooding and marsh-edge “calving” threatening the facility’s future. Water Quality Fight: A federal appeals court halted the NESE natural gas pipeline project through NJ and NY, ruling it violates New Jersey water-quality standards and overturning DEP’s key certification. Local Parks Update: Essex County reopened the renovated Parks Maintenance Facility at Weequahic Park in Newark, upgrading storage and equipment support for park and golf operations. 9/11 Remembrance: New Jersey’s official Empty Sky memorial at Liberty State Park remains unfinished as the 25th anniversary nears, with families and the memorial creator citing missing names and needed repairs.

Homegrown Food Policy: A “Right to Garden” push is gaining traction as NJ residents face zoning and HOA rules that can effectively block backyard vegetables and other climate-friendly plantings. Beach Safety: Ocean County logged the most surf-zone deaths in NJ (17 from 2016-2025), with September the deadliest month—rip currents were blamed for most fatalities, and officials urge swimmers to avoid unguarded surf. Insurance + Climate Risk Info: A new look at homeowners insurance data transparency finds many state regulators aren’t making ZIP-level market data public, leaving residents and policymakers with less clarity as climate risk reshapes coverage. Arctic Methane Feedback: A study warns melting Arctic glaciers may trigger a “doom loop” by flushing methane from beneath the ice into rivers and then the atmosphere. Winter Forecast: The Farmers’ Almanac is calling for a volatile 2026-27 winter across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic—snow, sleet, ice, and fast-changing storms. Workplace Protections: A nationwide Amazon class action alleges the company failed to provide basic pregnancy accommodations and retaliated against workers who requested them, including cases tied to NJ investigations.

Port Clean Trucks Push: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and CALSTART launched a $45 million incentive push to speed up zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors, and charging hubs near port facilities, aiming for near-term air-quality gains. Data Center Noise Fight: Lawsuits in Wisconsin and Mississippi accuse Microsoft and xAI data centers of causing harmful low-frequency noise, with residents saying standard dBA monitoring may miss the sound. PFAS & PFAS-adjacent Accountability: A long-running PFAS class action tied to Chemours’ GenX contamination heads to a jury trial in March 2027, underscoring how long environmental cases can take to reach court. Public Health Recall: Imported ready-to-eat pork products sold by Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini USA were recalled over possible listeria contamination. Local Lead Concerns: Lead contamination was found at a New Jersey police headquarters, with health officials urging staff relocation during remediation. Coastal Trees & Community: Sparta’s Van Kirk Homestead Museum will remeasure a state champion white oak Sept. 17, continuing NJ’s Big Tree program tradition.

Wildfire Betting Backlash: A growing push to ban wildfire prediction betting is gaining steam after platforms reportedly took in more than $1.2 million in bets during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, raising public-safety and “morally repugnant” concerns. Local Health & Safety: Lead was found throughout Englewood Cliffs Police HQ, with contamination extending into parts of the ventilation system; officials say personnel relocation is recommended during remediation. Flooding in South Jersey: Flash flooding in Glassboro forced water through glass doors at an off-campus Rowan University home, damaging multiple bedrooms and underscoring how fast storms can turn dangerous. Northeast Storm Threat: The region is bracing for renewed severe storms with flooding and power outages as a heat pattern and storm track keep conditions volatile. Atlantic City Jobs at Risk: An analysis warns casino competition from New York and online gaming could cost thousands of jobs in the Atlantic City area over the coming years. Clean Water Funding (Elsewhere): Vermont’s Farm & Forest Viability Program awarded nearly $1 million in grants to improve water quality and farm viability.

Flooding & Storm Impacts: Severe storms hit Glassboro, NJ on Aug. 27, and a new video shows floodwaters surging through glass doors of Rowan University off-campus housing, damaging four lower-level bedrooms and sending debris flying. Northeast Weather Watch: The broader region is still bracing for renewed storms, with flooding and power outages tied to a heat-dome pattern that keeps dangerous weather lingering. Shoreline Life: Labor Day weekend brought a final stretch of beach weather for Jersey Shore families, with crowds packing boardwalks and saying goodbye to summer. Wildlife & Public Health: In Egg Harbor City, a fox attack sent a woman into rabies post-exposure treatment, while a retired Atlantic City cop helped capture a separate foaming fox until animal control arrived. Coastal Ecology: Warming waters are driving more shark species northward, and experts say the trend is becoming consistent in New England waters. Energy Trend (NJ): DIY plug-in balcony solar is gaining momentum as a cheaper way to generate power at home, potentially lowering bills without major upfront installs.

Severe Weather Watch: The Northeast is bracing for another round of flooding and power outages after repeated storms left communities waterlogged; a heat dome has been steering the jet stream and fueling downpours, with strong winds toppling trees and knocking out power for more than 100,000 customers in the region. Wildlife & Climate: Warming ocean waters are driving more shark species northward into New England, with experts pointing to consistently warmer temperatures as the reason sightings are becoming routine. NJ Environment & Health: A long-running PFAS story resurfaces through reporting on 3M’s decades-long contamination cover-up, highlighting how “forever chemicals” were found in human blood samples and mishandled internally. Local Impacts: Apple picking at Freehold’s Battleview Orchards is canceled after a late-spring freeze wiped out the crop, a reminder of how fast weather can reshape NJ’s food season. Community Notes: The New Jersey Friends of Clearwater Festival returns to Asbury Park, with artists spotlighting plastics and the beach environment. Public Safety: Lakewood students face bus service cuts tied to lost funding for courtesy busing, forcing families to find alternate transportation as school starts.

PFAS Accountability: A new ProPublica podcast revisits how 3M scientists found PFOS “forever chemical” traces in blood nationwide—then faced internal pressure to downplay what it meant. Climate Impacts on NJ Farms: A late-spring freeze wiped out apple picking at Freehold’s Battleview Orchards, though the market and cider stand stay open. Sea-Level Rise & Wildlife: Rutgers and NJ Fish and Wildlife describe salt marsh “drowning” that’s flooding more often and squeezing habitat for diamondback terrapins and coastal birds. Heat & Worker Safety: A Princeton-led study finds agrivoltaic farms in central NJ can cut workers’ perceived heat by about 7°F while also cooling the ground. Insurance Inequity: A report says Black and Hispanic homeowners are paying higher premiums as climate-driven disasters intensify. Local Noise Rule: Hoboken approved outdoor amplified sound permits for Pier 13, adding a 10 p.m. cutoff and requiring city approval.

Wetlands Restoration: Rutgers and the Wetlands Institute are working to restore New Jersey salt marshes and protect diamondback terrapins as sea-level rise increasingly “drowns” marsh habitat. Climate & Housing Costs: A new report finds Black and Hispanic homeowners are paying more for insurance as extreme weather worsens, highlighting climate risk and affordability gaps. Data Centers vs. Quality of Life: Residents in Vineland and Howell are pushing back on data centers—one lawsuit alleges disruptive noise reaching about a mile away, while Howell voted to block major data centers in town limits. Coastal Risk Math: NOAA-based analysis suggests parts of the Jersey Shore could be underwater at high tide with just 2.5 feet of sea-level rise, with bigger losses at higher thresholds. Energy Policy Watch: Researchers say 2027 could bring the “biggest year yet” for state energy siting bills, with many proposals restricting renewables even as some enacted laws remain permissive. Local Landfill Liability: Haddonfield’s Crows Woods youth sports fields sit atop a former landfill that may not have been properly capped, raising safety and liability questions.