AGP Executive Report

Coastal Resilience: Another nor’easter threatens flooding and erosion along the Jersey Shore, where towns are still assessing damage from last month’s storm. New Jersey has requested federal aid for beach replenishment. Climate Adaptation: The DEP’s Liberty State Park resilience plan will explore wetland restoration, shoreline stabilization and raised walkways to protect the Jersey City landmark from storms and flooding. Forever Chemicals: A proposed bill would ban intentionally added PFAS in menstrual products and require testing. The push comes amid reports of PFAS in nearly all tested New Jersey waterways and widespread contamination in tap water. Data Center Impacts: A New Jersey data center reportedly released heavy air pollution for nearly a year before regulators intervened, as state officials face growing scrutiny over data center proposals. Clean Energy: New Jersey now allows renters and condo owners to plug in solar panels without utility approval, opening a simpler path to household solar.

Coastal Storm: A slow-moving nor’easter is bringing rough surf, beach erosion and coastal-flood concerns to the Jersey Shore through midweek, with minor to moderate flooding possible at high tide. Water Quality: Reports find “forever chemicals” in nearly all tested New Jersey waterways and in 91% of tested tap-water samples, renewing concerns about contamination across the state. Data Centers: Wallington officials removed data centers from a redevelopment plan after residents objected; elsewhere in New Jersey, a data center reportedly polluted the air for nearly a year before regulators intervened. Drought and Farms: South Jersey’s drought warning has ended, but farmers say prolonged dry conditions are still hurting crops and livelihoods. Watershed Watch: Rowan graduate Jenna Levner will serve as an AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador, monitoring and building partnerships around the Maurice, Cohansey and Salem rivers. Clean Energy: New Jersey renters and condo owners can now install plug-in solar without utility approval, opening another route to household clean energy.

Coastal Storm: A slow-moving nor’easter is expected to bring strong winds, coastal flooding and dangerous surf to New Jersey and the wider East Coast this week; forecasters say impacts could last several days. PFAS Pollution: New findings point to widespread “forever chemicals” in New Jersey waterways, while a separate report says PFAS turned up in 91% of tap-water samples. Data Center Oversight: A New Jersey data center reportedly emitted major amounts of air pollution for nearly a year before regulators intervened; in Secaucus, a data center took more than seven hours to report a diesel spill to the state. Clean Energy: New Jersey now lets renters and condo owners plug in solar panels without utility approval. Local Land Use: Sustain SJ is suing Vineland over approval of a data center project, challenging its stormwater plans and the planning board’s authority.

Coastal Storms: A new nor’easter could bring strong winds, beach erosion and tidal flooding from the Jersey Shore south early next week; its track remains uncertain. Marine Wildlife: A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale was spotted tangled in fishing gear off Barnegat Inlet, prompting NOAA and response teams to watch for updates. Water Pollution: Reports find PFAS in nearly all tested New Jersey waterways, while ultrashort-chain PFAS turned up in most tap-water and bottled-drink samples. Data Center Impacts: A New Jersey data center reportedly released major air pollution for nearly a year before regulators intervened; a Secaucus facility also waited more than seven hours to report a diesel spill to the state. Access to Solar: New Jersey renters and condo owners can now plug in solar panels without utility approval, opening a new route to clean energy for households.

Coastal Weather: A nor’easter could bring gusty winds, rough seas and coastal flooding to the Jersey Shore next week. Northern New Jersey may also see frost or freezing temperatures Sunday night. Wildlife Safety: NJ officials warn deer are especially active during fall mating season, increasing collision risks on morning and evening commutes. Water Pollution: PFAS have turned up in nearly all tested New Jersey waterways and in most tap-water and bottled-drink samples, renewing concerns about widespread exposure. Data Center Impacts: A New Jersey data center reportedly released heavy air pollution for nearly a year before regulators intervened; a separate Secaucus facility took more than seven hours to report a diesel spill. Clean Energy: New Jersey’s new balcony-solar law lets renters and homeowners use plug-in panels, widening access to renewable power.

Storms & Seasonal Risks: New Jersey faced severe thunderstorms Friday, with damaging winds and an isolated tornado possible; a nor’easter is now expected to bring strong winds and coastal flooding to parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Water Quality: NJIT researchers found the little-monitored “forever chemical” TFA in 64 of 70 tap-water samples and 34 of 43 bottled drinks tested. A separate report says PFAS were found in nearly all New Jersey waterways tested. Data Center Pressures: A New Jersey data center reportedly released large amounts of air pollution for nearly a year before regulators intervened. Public concern is growing: a poll found more than half of New Jerseyans believe data center costs outweigh the benefits, while a Vineland lawsuit challenges stormwater plans for a proposed project. Flood Resilience: New Jersey is buying flood-prone homes, a strategy aimed at reducing residents’ exposure to future flooding.

Forever Chemicals: New Jersey testing found PFAS in 91% of 86 waterways, including streams upstream of drinking-water intakes. A separate NJIT study detected the little-monitored chemical TFA in 64 of 70 tap-water samples and 34 of 43 bottled drinks. Data Center Pollution: A Vineland data center’s unpermitted generators released an estimated 140 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides over nearly a year before regulators intervened; the state fined the operator $1 million. More than half of New Jerseyans surveyed say data center costs outweigh the benefits. Storms and Cold: Friday’s severe storms brought damaging-wind and isolated-tornado risks, followed by a freeze watch for four northern counties, with possible harm to crops and sensitive plants. Local Action: Vineland residents are challenging a data center approval over stormwater plans, while Elizabeth has completed the first phase of a watershed improvement plan and opened it for public comment.

Severe Weather: New Jersey faces damaging winds and a possible isolated tornado Friday evening, with the risk area expanded across much of the state. PFAS Pollution: New research found so-called forever chemicals in more than 90% of tested waterways in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; separate testing detected ultrashort-chain PFAS in most New Jersey tap water and bottled drinks. Data Center Pushback: A Rutgers-Eagleton poll found 72% of residents oppose a data center in their town, citing concerns including water and power use and higher bills. Stormwater Fight: Sustain SJ is suing Vineland over approval of a proposed data center, challenging its stormwater plans and the planning board’s authority. Farm Impacts: The drought warning has ended across most of South Jersey, but farmers are still counting losses from prolonged dry conditions. Climate Policy: New Jersey joined 20 states and several cities in suing to block the federal repeal of power-plant emissions limits.

Severe Weather: New Jersey faces a risk of damaging winds and isolated tornadoes Friday, with heavy rain and a possible coastal storm early next week adding to flood concerns. PFAS Pollution: A report found “forever chemicals” in more than 90% of tested waterways in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; separate testing detected ultrashort-chain PFAS in most New Jersey tap water and bottled drinks. Data Centers and Power: A Secaucus data center waited more than seven hours to report a diesel spill to NJDEP. Meanwhile, a federal grid emergency allows backup generators to run as a last resort, raising pollution concerns as New Jersey debates data center growth. NJDEP extended public comments on data centers to Nov. 9. Flooding: New Jersey is buying flood-prone homes to reduce future risk, while Elizabeth completed the first phase of a watershed improvement plan and opened it for public comment.

PFAS in Water: A new report found PFAS in 91% of New Jersey waterways tested; separate research detected ultrashort-chain PFAS in most New Jersey tap water and bottled drinks. Severe Weather: Northern New Jersey faces a risk of thunderstorms, while strong winds and heavy rain could bring coastal flooding and road closures later this week. Grid Strain: With unseasonable heat driving up electricity demand, a federal order allows backup power to be used if needed across PJM’s 13-state region, including New Jersey. Data Center Oversight: A Secaucus data center reportedly waited more than seven hours to notify NJDEP about a diesel spill, renewing questions about oversight as such facilities expand. Flood Adaptation: New Jersey’s Blue Acres buyout program has helped more than 1,200 homeowners leave flood-prone properties; the state demolishes acquired homes and restores the land as open space that can absorb water.

PFAS Pollution: New testing found PFAS in 91% of New Jersey waterways sampled from 2022 to 2024, including the Pinelands. Separate research detected ultrashort-chain PFAS in most New Jersey tap water and bottled drinks. Grid Pressure: A federal emergency order through Oct. 16 lets PJM call on backup power to help prevent blackouts during unusually warm weather. The NJ Board of Public Utilities also says all four state electric utilities submitted incomplete reports on their PJM votes, limiting public scrutiny of grid decisions. Waste Reduction: A bill to make vape producers fund collection and recycling passed a Senate committee, aiming to curb litter and fires linked to discarded devices. Data Center Debate: NJDEP extended public comment on data centers to Nov. 9, while Little Egg Harbor introduced an ordinance to ban them. Water Infrastructure: Veolia completed a $58 million Plainsboro wastewater plant designed to strengthen flood resilience.

Water Quality: NJIT researchers found ultra-short-chain PFAS in more than 91% of New Jersey tap-water samples and nearly 80% of bottled drinks tested. A separate survey detected PFAS at 78 of 86 state rivers, lakes and streams sampled. Grid Pressure: New Jersey is under a federal grid emergency through Oct. 16 as warm weather, high demand and planned maintenance strain supplies. FERC rejected PJM’s proposal to let it curtail large new data centers during shortages; NJDEP has meanwhile extended comments on a South Brunswick data center’s diesel-generator permit to Nov. 9. Pollution Cleanup: More than a month after over 5,000 gallons of diesel spilled from an Equinix facility into a Hackensack River tributary, cleanup continues under NJDEP oversight. Wastewater: Veolia completed a $58 million Plainsboro treatment plant replacement intended to strengthen flood resilience. Coastal Habitat: The Pinelands Commission approved Atlantic white cedar restoration despite objections from environmentalists.

Grid Pressure: A federal emergency order through Oct. 16 lets PJM, which serves New Jersey, call on power plants to exceed normal pollution limits and direct data centers and other large users to switch to backup generators as a last resort. Data Center Pushback: Kenilworth residents are protesting a $1.8 billion AI data center, citing concerns about electricity and water use, pollution and noise. Farm Research: Rutgers’ 390-acre Snyder Farm in Pittstown puts agricultural research to work for local growers, demonstrating new technology and practices. Water Costs: New Jersey ranked fifth among states for household water bills in a report, averaging $706 a year for 60,000 gallons. Wastewater Infrastructure: Veolia completed a $58 million Plainsboro treatment plant intended to help protect the state against flood risks.

Wastewater Resilience: Veolia has completed a $58 million wastewater treatment plant in Plainsboro, designed to strengthen service against flood risks. Coastal Impacts: A shifting sandbar near the Avalon–Sea Isle Bridge has prompted a $1.5 million emergency dredging project; Bay Head also reported major beach damage after recent storms. Pinelands Restoration: The Pinelands Commission approved an Atlantic white cedar restoration project despite objections from environmentalists. Forest Health: A Camden County old-growth forest preserve is battling an invasive worm described as deadly. Development Pressure: New Jersey residents protested a proposed $1.8 billion data center over concerns about its neighborhood impacts. Storms and Climate: Coverage examines how climate change worsened Hurricane Isaias, whose remnants brought heavy rain and flooding threats to the region.

Coastal Navigation: A shifting sandbar has narrowed the channel under the Townsends Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City, prompting plans for $1.5 million in emergency dredging. Wastewater: Veolia completed a $58 million replacement treatment plant at Princeton Meadows. Forest and Habitat: The Pinelands Commission approved an Atlantic white cedar restoration project despite objections, while an invasive worm threatens a Camden County old-growth preserve. Pollution Cleanup: New Jersey’s attorney general and DEP finalized natural-resource damage settlements with Hess and Hercules worth more than $20 million. Development Pressure: New Jersey residents protested a proposed $1.8 billion data center in their neighborhood.

Forest Health: Beech leaf disease has infected more than 200 American beeches at Saddler’s Woods in Haddon Township. The invasive worm is established in every New Jersey county, and there is no effective treatment. Pinelands: The commission approved a plan to restore Atlantic white cedar across 171 acres of Wharton State Forest, the first phase of a $19 million effort. Opponents worry healthy, mature trees could be cut and herbicides used. Data Center Pressure: New Jersey residents protested a proposed $1.8 billion data center, while a separate report raised questions about diesel remaining after a local data center leaked 5,000 gallons. Stormwater: Remnants of Isaias brought soaking rain Sunday, with about two inches reported in Caldwell and 1.5 inches in Newark. Wastewater: Veolia completed a $58 million wastewater treatment facility in Plainsboro, adding a major upgrade to local infrastructure.