AGP Executive Report

Stormwater & Flood Resilience (SC): Laurens County and the SC Office of Resilience say stormwater upgrades in the Watts Mill neighborhood are finished, including new drainage along Jesse Street and Swygert Street and a detention basin on Gallon Street, funded by a $2.3M ARPA stormwater grant. Coastal Cleanup (SC): Bluffton held its 37th annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep, with hundreds of volunteers removing litter from the May River and nearby areas, partnering with SC Sea Grant and SCDNR. Data Centers Pushback (SC): Kershaw County approved a year-long data center moratorium, as residents question how new power plans could connect to data center growth; in Spartanburg, SELC is urging the SC Public Service Commission to revisit a decision involving a 450+ MW power facility tied to a data center. Water Infrastructure (SC): Mount Pleasant Waterworks completed seven sewer extension projects, adding public sewer access for 100+ property owners and extending wastewater service to communities including Shem Creek, Seven Mile, and Snowden with $13M in grant funding. Climate Court Fight (National): A coalition led by Montana AG Austin Knudsen urged the SEC to scrutinize Moody’s after it used disputed climate assumptions in ESG predictions—an issue tied to how fossil-fuel risks are rated. Wildlife & Invasives (Regional): Florida researchers are raising money for rapid response to invasive pests and diseases, warning that warming weather and shipping routes help new threats spread quickly.

Infrastructure Watch: South Carolina’s ASCE Infrastructure Report Card improved to a C- (from D+), but Drinking Water and Bridges still sit in the D range, with engineers warning challenges remain. Water & Wastewater: Mount Pleasant Waterworks finished seven sewer extension projects, adding public service to 100+ property owners and using $13 million in grant funding to cut septic reliance in the Shem Creek watershed. Data Centers & Power/Water Pressure: The Southern Environmental Law Center urged South Carolina’s Public Service Commission to revisit a NorthMark Cloud/Valara ruling tied to a 450+ megawatt data-center power plant in Spartanburg—while Maryland and Texas move to tighten oversight over data-center impacts on grids and water. Flood Resilience: Lake Lure’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene highlights how damaged flood gauges still force emergency crews to rely on visual river conditions as the town manages dam operations affecting downstream communities. Wildlife & Outdoors: A new look at Congaree National Park spotlights South Carolina’s floodplain ecosystems and wildlife, from bald cypress forests to turtles on Cedar Creek. Local Jobs: Devro plans to expand in Calhoun County, adding 19 jobs, and TripStop is moving ahead with a $5 million travel center plan in Radford.

Lowcountry Growth: Tri Pointe Homes bought 60.4 acres in Bluffton’s New Riverside final phase for 76 homesites, adding more housing supply near Palmetto Bluff. Coastal Weather & Safety: A cold front is bringing breezy, cooler conditions and a high risk of dangerous rip currents along South Carolina beaches Thursday, with marine advisories and rougher seas. River Protection: The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for input on a revised Ashley Scenic River management plan, covering a 22-mile stretch and focusing on protection, recreation, and wildlife habitat. Forest Restoration Partnership: The Longleaf Alliance and Samsung are teaming up to restore native longleaf pine forests in South Carolina, aiming to boost biodiversity and improve watershed health. Water Reuse & Infrastructure Signals: WateReuse launched a regulatory guide for water reuse, while CARTA is moving ahead with camera-based “video mirrors” to improve bus safety around blind spots. Wildlife Management: South Carolina’s alligator hunting season is underway via a lottery-based permit system, with hunting limited to designated management units.

Coastal Conservation: SCDNR is asking for public input on a revised Ashley Scenic River management plan, covering a 22-mile stretch from Highway 17-A to I-526, with a survey open through Oct. 31. Dock Rules Update: The state is proposing new dock size and construction rules, including limits on how far docks extend, restrictions on maintenance on dock structures, and changes to permitting and water-quality review. Water Reuse Guidance: The WateReuse Association released a state-level regulatory guide to help utilities and regulators build practical water reuse rules. Forest Restoration Partnership: The Longleaf Alliance and Samsung are teaming up to restore native longleaf pine forests in South Carolina, aiming to boost biodiversity and watershed health. Wildlife Habitat Expansion: A proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plan could expand coastal wildlife refuge boundaries in SC and Georgia by negotiating purchases from willing landowners. Deer Management: Georgia wildlife agencies are offering extra doe tags to manage growing deer herds and reduce habitat and collision impacts. Rain & Flood Watch: Rain continues in South Carolina with a flood advisory in parts of the Upstate and cooler, breezy conditions expected.

Red Snapper Rules: NOAA set a South Atlantic recreational red snapper season for Oct. 9–11, with special permits extending fishing through Oct. 22 for eligible anglers in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Ashley River Protection: The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is updating its Ashley River management plan (last done in 2003) and wants public input on water quality, stormwater runoff, development pressures, and access. Colleton County Data Center Debate: Residents questioned a proposed 1,000-megawatt, $6B data center campus as officials described noise limits, closed-loop cooling, and buffer plans. Wildfire Mutual Aid: Arkansas activated the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact and deployed partner task force teams from several states as drought and heat keep fire risk high. Mosquito Spraying Pushback: Charleston County’s West Nile response includes aerial insecticide spraying, prompting concerns about impacts on wildlife and ecosystems. Battery Recycling Deal: Nth Cycle signed a $1B offtake agreement with Glencore to extract lithium and other critical minerals from recycled batteries. Infrastructure Watch: South Carolina’s latest civil engineering report card gave infrastructure a C-minus, citing aging systems and funding gaps despite gains.

Wildfire Mutual Aid: Arkansas activated the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact as drought and heat drive wildfire danger, reporting 500+ fires since Aug. 1 and 1,400+ for the year, and deploying crews with help from partner states including South Carolina. Air Quality Watch: Healthcare SC says monitoring after the Mlily Winnsboro mattress factory fire found no harmful impacts to air or drinking water in Fairfield County, as the company works on restoration and jobs. FEMA Resilience Funding: South Carolina is among eight southeastern states receiving $44M+ from FEMA for flood risk reduction, floodplain management, and earthquake safety training/exercises. Red Snapper Update: South Carolina got approval for a two-week recreational red snapper season (Oct. 9–22) while litigation continues, with NOAA also extending the federal season and issuing EFPs for SC and other states. Waterfront Rules: South Carolina DES proposed new dock size/design limits tied to waterway width, with a public hearing set for Oct. 27. Mosquito Spraying Debate: Charleston County’s West Nile response includes aerial spraying of naled (Trumpet EC), prompting concerns about harm to wildlife and ecosystems. Energy & Permitting: DES approved an air permit for Valara’s natural gas power plant tied to a Spartanburg data center. Coastal Storm Alert: A rare nor’easter is bringing dangerous flooding and hurricane-force winds across 13 states, with coastal waves up to 12 feet.

Data Centers & Air Pollution: Spartanburg regulators approved NorthMark/Valara’s plan to expand a Pine Street data center to 457 megawatts, authorizing 11 natural-gas turbines with pollution controls and reporting conditions—an issue residents have pushed back on. Energy Grid & Weather Tech: Santee Cooper is partnering with Google Cloud to use AI weather forecasting to improve grid planning for its $10B expansion. PFAS Legal Pressure: A new PFAS-focused multidistrict litigation (MDL 3191) targets PFAS-containing firefighter turnout gear marketing and sales practices, adding to mounting costs and disclosure fights. PFAS in Food & Water: Federal PFAS scrutiny is expanding, with FDA testing and new 2027 public water utility PFAS disclosure rules raising litigation risk for food and beverage companies. Climate & Extremes: World leaders kicked off UN Climate Week amid record-breaking El Niño and extreme heat, floods, and wildfires. Coastal Memory: Hurricane Hugo’s 37-year anniversary brought renewed attention to how the storm reshaped South Carolina’s coast and power grid. Local Community Art: Goose Creek’s Adopt-a-Goose public art program is turning fiberglass geese into a citywide GooseChase scavenger hunt.

Energy & Policy: Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón was elected chair of the Southern States Energy Board, highlighting grid resilience moves like battery storage, generation upgrades, and a shift toward natural gas. Climate Watch: World leaders kicked off UN Climate Week in New York, warning that record-breaking El Niño and extreme heat show the climate crisis is intensifying. SC Industry Shift: Woodward plans to move aerospace flight-control actuation production from Santa Clarita to Spartanburg, expanding South Carolina’s role in defense and industrial controls. Power & Pollution: North Carolina regulators denied Duke Energy a new gas plant, citing uncertain data-center-driven demand—while in South Carolina, regulators approved a Spartanburg-area data center permit for 457 megawatts from gas generators, drawing local concern. Land Conservation: Georgetown County backs the state’s plan to buy 4,148 acres for a new Carvers Bay State Forest after a larger 8,000-acre conservation purchase. Wildlife & Habitat: A gopher tortoise protection debate resurfaces as critics say legal safeguards don’t stop habitat destruction. PFAS Litigation: A new PFAS firefighter turnout-gear multidistrict case (MDL 3191) was formed in Minnesota, focusing on claims about undisclosed chemical exposure in gear sales. Local Health & Safety: Healthcare SC says monitoring after the MLily Plant fire found no harmful air impacts and no drinking-water standard exceedances. Storms & Fall Weather: South Carolina faces isolated strong storms before a cooldown into fall-like temperatures.

Severe Weather Watch (SC): South Carolina’s Upstate is bracing for another round of unsettled conditions as temperatures drop. Forecasts call for scattered showers and storms that can bring damaging winds, frequent lightning, and heavy rain, with storm chances lingering into Wednesday before cooler, drier weather settles in. Hurricane Preparedness (SC): A look back at Hurricane Hugo highlights how South Carolina’s emergency planning has evolved—more detailed hurricane plans, updated evacuation routes and zones, and improved communications—while climate change keeps raising the stakes. Telehealth Rehab (MUSC): MUSC is expanding stroke rehabilitation through at-home telehealth, helping rural patients avoid long trips for therapy and adding mental health support alongside physical and speech services. Local Infrastructure & Transit (Charleston County): Charleston-area mayors are gearing up for public outreach on a Nov. 3 transportation sales tax referendum that could fund major road and transit work. Autonomous Flight (National, SC link): Joby Aviation says it completed the first fully autonomous coast-to-coast flight across the U.S., with remote supervision that included Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Public Health (Rabies): CDC advisories follow reports of rabid animals and human exposures; experts say awareness helps, even if it’s unclear whether cases are truly rising.

Power Grid Watch: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order to reduce blackout risk in South Carolina and North Carolina during hot weather, authorizing Duke Energy Carolinas to dispatch extra generation and use backup power if needed. Storms & Safety: South Carolina is bracing for lingering scattered storms into Sunday evening, with gusty winds, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rain possible. Local Transportation Funding: Charleston County is holding final public outreach sessions on a Nov. 3 transportation sales tax referendum that would extend a half-cent levy and could raise $4.25 billion over 25 years. Water Quality Concern: Honolulu’s city council is urging expanded groundwater testing around the Red Hill fuel facility over contamination worries, including PFAS. Aviation Tech: Joby Aviation says a self-flying aircraft completed the first autonomous cross-country flight across the U.S., with remote supervision and real-time rerouting around severe weather.

Energy Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order to reduce blackout risk in South Carolina and North Carolina during hot weather, authorizing Duke Energy Carolinas to dispatch extra power and run backup generation as a last resort through Sept. 21. Severe Weather Impacts: Multiple South Carolina college football games were delayed by lightning and storms, including South Carolina vs. Mississippi State in Columbia, where kickoff slid from 4:15 p.m. to 5:35 p.m. Water & Climate Risk: Honolulu’s City Council urged expanded groundwater testing around the Red Hill fuel facility, citing contamination concerns tied to PFAS and petroleum chemicals—another reminder of how long-term pollution can threaten drinking water systems. Local Politics: Greenwood County’s District 1 write-in candidate Nadia Primakov says she was misinformed on petition signature requirements, after incorrect guidance left her short of the threshold for the November ballot.

Severe Weather Disrupts SEC Opener: South Carolina’s home game vs. Mississippi State kicked off about 80 minutes late after lightning was detected within eight miles of Williams-Brice Stadium, with teams clearing the field multiple times and fans urged to take cover. More Storm Risk Across the Palmetto State: A weekend forecast calls for afternoon and evening storms in South Carolina’s Upstate, with strong wind gusts, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rain possible. Power Grid Emergency for Hot Weather: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order to help prevent blackouts across the Carolinas during hot conditions, authorizing Duke Energy Carolinas to dispatch backup generation if needed. Water Stress Reminder (Regional): Northeast Florida officials say groundwater and springs are under strain after months of below-average rainfall, with water-use limits still in place. Public Health Alert: The FDA issued a Class II recall for certain hand soaps sold in 15 states, citing possible bacterial contamination.

AI in schools: Lee County (FL) is drafting classroom AI policies that require parent notice and an opt-out for non-AI alternatives, with extra limits for younger students. Data centers & power: Letters and commentary highlight regulatory gaps around private gas plants and data centers in South Carolina, arguing residents have few ways to challenge environmental and health impacts. Weather watch: Saturday brings scattered storms across South Carolina, with unsettled conditions continuing into the week. First frost timing: A new forecast roundup says South Carolina’s first frost will vary by location, with the Upstate likely seeing it first in late October to early November. Wildlife & people: A South Carolina deer-management update adds an extra antlerless tag to encourage more doe harvests and reduce deer impacts. Outdoor safety: Reports warn of a trail wasp surge in the region, with rescues sometimes needed when swarms turn aggressive. Energy costs: Rising diesel prices are squeezing South Carolina truckers and raising fears of broader inflation impacts. Aviation tech: Joby Aviation says an autonomous flight crossed the U.S. with remote supervision, including a stop at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

Severe Weather Watch: Flood watches are expanding across the Southwest, Intermountain West, and Midwest as a super El Niño pattern loads the atmosphere with moisture, with climate change blamed for making extremes more intense—South Carolina is also seeing storm chances and heat building into fall. Local Wildlife & Food: South Carolina hunters get an extra antlerless deer tag for the 2026-27 season to boost doe harvests, support balanced deer populations, and reduce crop damage and deer/vehicle collisions. Diesel Shock: Record-high diesel prices in South Carolina are raising costs for truckers and could ripple into higher prices for groceries and other goods, with supply concerns tied to global oil chokepoints. Energy & Land-Use: Darlington County rejected a nine-month solar/wind moratorium but voted to tighten rules for future projects after a packed public hearing. Tech With a Climate Angle: Joby Aviation says a converted Cessna Caravan completed the first-ever autonomous cross-country flight, with remote supervision involving Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Water & Health: A new drought update shows worsening conditions in parts of the Southeast, while separate reporting highlights ongoing concerns about water and coastal health risks.

Heat Watch: Upstate South Carolina is stuck under a lingering heat dome, with forecasts calling for above-normal temperatures through at least Sept. 21 (and possibly into late September), after 2026’s summer was the warmest on record for the contiguous U.S. Wetlands & Wildlife: A new “Into the Wild” look at Carolina bays explains how these hidden, oval wetlands fill and dry with the seasons—creating habitat for frogs, salamanders, insects, and other wildlife. Trash & Water Quality: An editorial highlights how road litter and limited river protections leave too many waterways below acceptable standards, urging more volunteer action and stronger cleanup efforts. Rabies Alerts: CDC reports rising rabies cases nationwide, and South Carolina DPH confirmed rabies-positive skunks in Liberty—urging residents to avoid wild animals and call health officials if exposure is possible. Rural Health Funding: South Carolina is set to receive $200M in federal rural health transformation money, including new MRI/CT upgrades and mobile care plans for multiple counties. Data Centers & Policy: Local and national coverage keeps circling back to data-center growth—raising questions about energy use, oversight, and environmental impacts as lawmakers weigh new rules. PFAS Fight: Corteva is pushing back against state attorneys general trying to block its planned split over PFAS-related claims.

Coastal Resilience in Action: Oyster “castles” are being built in Laurel Bay to slow erosion and create new oyster habitat, with early signs of sediment return and grass regrowth as the reef grows. Park Milestone: Congaree National Park is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary Oct. 17-18 with free events, talks, and guided hikes highlighting how the park protects biodiversity. Drought Watch: Drought conditions are worsening across the Southeast, with extreme drought still in parts of coastal South Carolina and North Carolina; a weekend cold front may bring some relief. Local Land-Use Fight: Beaufort County’s Pine Island owners are again seeking removal of a 502-acre Cultural Protection Overlay on St. Helena Island, reigniting a years-long zoning battle. Beach Protection Explained: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the Grand Strand’s “sacrificial” sand is engineered to take storm impacts and protect inland communities. Public Health Alert: Ingles-linked hand soaps are among FDA-classified Class II recalls in 15 states, including South Carolina, due to possible bacterial contamination. Wildlife & Water Safety: BoatUS is renewing its push to report abandoned and derelict vessels, warning they can damage habitats and leak pollutants.