AGP Executive Report

Brownfields Cleanup in Saraland: Saraland won a $2.6 million EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant to address contaminated material found during construction at a planned 100-acre Land Sports and Recreation Complex, with a separate $1.5 million regional grant to assess other potentially contaminated properties. Flood Risk Across the Southeast: Forecasters warn a week-long heavy-rain pattern could bring 2–3 inches across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, with 3–5 inches or more possible in southern Louisiana and Mississippi, raising flash-flood risk for the Gulf Coast. Local Water Infrastructure Planning (Dora): The City of Dora posted a finding of no significant impact and intent to request release of ARC funds for a $2 million Dora Water Tank Project, including a new 250,000-gallon elevated tank and new water pipe near I-22. Emergency Preparedness in Alabama: Alabama emergency managers and partners gathered at UNA for a Preparedness and Resilience Summit focused on disaster response coordination and closing information gaps with the public. Cybersecurity Training for Water Utilities: Central Alabama Water hosted statewide cybersecurity response training for water and wastewater professionals to strengthen incident response and recovery planning. Wildfire Watch: Cherokee County crews battled grass fires threatening homes and campers for a second straight day, stretching resources.

Wildfire Update: Oak Mountain State Park’s lightning-sparked brush fire has burned about 250 acres and is now 50% contained, with no buildings endangered and the park still open as crews strengthen firebreaks. Public Safety & Weather Tech: Alabama lawmakers pushed the National Weather Service on plans to modernize the aging Hytop radar system that supports North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. Food Safety: Auburn University Extension is warning Alabamians about cyclosporiasis after a national Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce, noting symptoms can linger and require specific testing and treatment. Clean Energy Workforce: Sharing the Power Foundation announced its 2026 Clean Energy Fellows class, expanding scholarships and paid internships for students pursuing clean energy careers. Education & Environment Careers: Alabama A&M University earned national accreditation for its Environmental Health undergraduate program, making it the third HBCU nationwide with EHAC-accredited environmental health training. Research & Forest Products: Auburn received $579,469 from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop lower-energy dewatering methods for forest products, aiming to cut emissions from wood drying. Local Recreation Funding: Gadsden won an $822,634 grant to design and build a new splash pad and park upgrades at Joseph T. Robinson Park.

Water Security: Central Alabama Water and federal partners staged a two-day cyberattack simulation with operators from 40 utilities across 26 counties, stressing that “absolute protection” isn’t possible and readiness is. Public Health & Training: Alabama A&M earned national accreditation for its Environmental Health concentration through August 2032, and hosted a Jr. MANRRS Leadership Institute for middle and high school students with hands-on workshops in environmental and natural resources fields. Weather & Flood Risk: Forecasters warn of a Gulf tropical wave and a widespread rain push through the weekend, with 3–4 inches possible—plus a shift in school football schedules as rain chances rise. Outdoor Recreation & Infrastructure: Walker County Lake’s renovation kicked off with crews starting demolition of the old bait shop roofline, while Alabama State Parks highlighted Lake Lurleen’s upgraded campground and trails for fall visitors. Wildfire Watch: Alabama fire officials warned of elevated wildfire risk amid dry conditions.

Vaping Crackdown in Alabama: Two new state laws take effect this week, including an expansion of the Clean Indoor Air Act that treats vaping like smoking and bans it in public indoor spaces starting Oct. 1. Wildfire Risk Watch: Alabama fire officials warn of elevated wildfire risk amid dry conditions, as fall weather shifts. Water & Cybersecurity Threats: A report on cyberattacks tied to Iran describes disruptions to water systems across multiple states, including Alabama, raising concerns about critical infrastructure safety. Local Outdoor Improvements: Lake Lurleen State Park near Tuscaloosa is rolling out major upgrades for visitors—new campground hookups, bathhouses, trails, and a better boat launch—aimed at making outdoor weekends easier. Community Reentry Training: A new Perry County facility for people on parole or probation expands welding and heavy machinery training to help reduce recidivism and fill manufacturing jobs. Defense & Industry Footprint: Hanwha Defense USA plans a $2.2 billion munitions campus tied to the Army’s Pine Bluff Arsenal, with environmental reviews still to be finalized.

Wildfire Watch: Alabama fire officials say dry conditions and low humidity are raising wildfire risk as the fall season ramps up, urging residents to avoid burning leaves and debris outdoors. PFAS Push: Sen. Tommy Tuberville reintroduced a bill to ban PFAS “forever chemicals” from food packaging, citing cancer and other health concerns. Public Health Rule: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act amendment takes effect this week, expanding vape-free requirements to indoor public spaces where smoking is prohibited. Air Quality & Health: Residents near Pelham’s Oak Mountain fire report smoke impacts and confusion over the blaze’s cause and containment, after officials confirmed it was sparked by lightning. Energy & Land Use: A proposed Southeast Connector natural gas pipeline would cross western DeKalb County, affecting about 50 landowners, with environmental work underway and service projected for 2029. Recycling Reality Check: A national investigation says Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” plastic cups aren’t actually being recycled, with most ending in landfills or incinerators. Severe Weather Readiness: New survey data finds most Americans fear severe weather but only a small share feel financially prepared for recovery.

Clean Indoor Air Act Update: Alabama’s vaping ban in enclosed public spaces takes effect Oct. 1, expanding the state’s definition of “smoking” to include electronic nicotine delivery devices. Industrial Growth: ZincFast is moving ahead with a Hanceville plant expansion after the city approved a tax abatement, with the company seeking maintenance staff tied to the buildout. Wildfire Response: Multiple agencies are battling a slow-moving brush fire at Oak Mountain State Park near Pelham, with crews from the city, state parks, and forestry commission on scene. Local Infrastructure: ALDOT will close portions of I-459 ramps nightly for resurfacing from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 near the US-31 and Galleria exits. Public Health: Huntsville doctors are bracing for flu season after last winter’s severe stretch, urging parents to watch for dehydration and respiratory trouble and to consider flu shots. Energy & Grid Resilience: Colorado is set to receive $250M in federal funding to strengthen electricity transmission links, including projects aimed at supporting large-load data centers in the region.

Dog Protection Law: Beau’s Law takes effect Oct. 1, making it a Class C misdemeanor to leave a dog outside without adequate food, water, or shelter, and adding standards for tethering. ADEM & Landfill Oversight: A Uniontown resident, Portia Shepherd, has appealed ADEM’s dismissal of her request for a public hearing on Arrowhead Landfill’s expansion, which would raise its design capacity by nearly 29% amid local concerns about waste and air emissions. Climate & Weather: Alabama’s forecast points to a late-September heat rebound with hotter, mostly dry days, then increasing rain chances by Friday into the weekend. Gulf Conservation Funding: CoastAL Orange Beach will host its first “Toast for the Coast” gala Nov. 21, raising money for nine groups working to protect Gulf Coast waters and wildlife. Wildlife Habitat Deal (Regional): Georgia DNR and partners announced an agreement to re-establish the Pine Log Wildlife Management Area, protecting more than 14,000 acres for conservation and public recreation. Storm Impacts (National): A slow-moving nor’easter is battering the U.S. Northeast with flooding, outages, and at least one death, underscoring how extreme weather can quickly strain infrastructure.

Landfill Fight in Uniontown: Portia Shepherd has appealed to Montgomery County Circuit Court after ADEM dismissed her request for a public hearing on Arrowhead Landfill’s expansion, which would raise the facility’s design capacity from 49.7 million to 63.9 million tons. Coastal Conservation Fundraiser: CoastAL Orange Beach announced its first “Toast for the Coast” gala on Nov. 21, with proceeds split among nine Gulf Coast groups including Mobile Baykeeper and Alabama Coastal Cleanup. Gulf Storm Impacts: A powerful nor’easter battered the U.S. Northeast, knocking out power for more than 130,000 customers and threatening coastal flooding at high tide. Wildlife Habitat Deal: Georgia DNR and partners reached an agreement to re-establish the Pine Log Wildlife Management Area, protecting more than 14,000 acres and rare habitats. Youth Tech Safety: Alabama AG Steve Marshall announced a TikTok settlement requiring new teen safety limits, including a two-hour daily time cap for children and stronger parental controls, with at least $100 million for the state. Local Weather Watch: Central Alabama is set for mainly dry, seasonably warm conditions with late-week heat returning and rain chances increasing toward the weekend.

Public Health & Water Safety: Alabama crews responded to a crash in Elmore County involving an overturned log truck and a Jeep, triggering a hazardous materials response after a diesel spill; the Alabama Department of Environmental Management was called to the scene. Wildlife & Conservation: Alabama’s conservation leadership highlighted 100,000+ acres of land bought for public use since 2017, including eco-sensitive purchases tied to places like the Perdido River, Fort Morgan Peninsula, Dauphin Island, and red hills salamander habitat. Climate & Ecology Research: A UF/IFAS study found pollinator activity in human-modified landscapes shifts later—starting about 22 days later and ending about 21 days later—suggesting development changes not just where pollinators live, but when they’re active. Digital Safety for Youth: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced a TikTok settlement requiring new teen safety limits, including a two-hour daily time limit for children and stronger parental controls, with at least $100 million for the state. Weather: Central Alabama is seeing dry, fall-like conditions with low rain chances through the weekend, then a warm-up next week.

Diesel Spill Response: A two-vehicle crash in Elmore County overturned a loaded log truck and sent diesel into the area, triggering a multi-agency hazardous materials response; the truck driver was airlifted and others were treated. Public Land Conservation: Alabama marked National Public Lands Day by highlighting more than 100,000 acres added for public use under ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship since 2017, including key habitat and coastal purchases. Teen Safety Settlement: Alabama reached a settlement with TikTok requiring at least $100 million in payments and new teen protections like limiting personalized feeds, restricting cosmetic filters, and capping daily use. Weather Watch: Gulf Coast forecasts call for cooler, drier air with very low rain chances through early next week, plus a low risk of rip currents. Community Cleanup & Planning: Marshall County groups and the Local Emergency Planning Committee discussed litter prevention efforts and updates to multi-hazard preparedness plans.

Youth Safety Settlement: TikTok reached a settlement with Alabama requiring at least $100 million in payments and new teen protections, including a switchable non-personalized feed, cosmetic-filter limits, a two-hour daily cap, and overnight curfews. Environmental Education in Alabama: Alabama A&M University’s Environmental Health concentration earned full national accreditation through August 2032, a boost for training future environmental health professionals. Local Environmental Permitting: A planned 150-residence development near Cullman Regional, Brock Trace, has entered Alabama’s environmental permitting process after preliminary subdivision approval, with stormwater permit filings now on record. Community Preparedness & Litter Prevention: Marshall County’s Local Emergency Planning Committee discussed multi-hazard planning and drills, while a Guntersville-area group announced an Oct. 14 meeting focused on keeping roadsides litter-free. Space & Safety Tech: NASA Marshall in Huntsville completed environmental and physical tests for a dual-mode, non-toxic propulsion system for small satellites.

Severe Weather Preparedness: Saraland’s storm shelter push shows how Alabama schools are meeting stricter K–12 shelter requirements, with districts increasingly turning to precast concrete to hit safety standards without derailing timelines. PFAS Accountability: Birmingham is suing 3M, DuPont and other manufacturers over PFAS contamination in firefighter gear, keeping pressure on toxic-chemical cleanup and corporate responsibility. Data Centers & Risk: A new report flags how AI-driven data-center growth is reshaping insurance needs—especially for severe-weather exposure and cyber threats—while Alabama’s own data-center buildout continues. Diesel Cost Relief: Gov. Kay Ivey orders a 120-day halt on dyed diesel enforcement to ease pressure on Alabama agriculture and timber during harvest season. School Desegregation: Federal courts ended three Alabama desegregation cases, with motions pending for eight more districts—another step in a long-running legal cleanup. Public Safety Education: A North Alabama nonprofit hosted child safety awareness training focused on online risks and early warning signs. Local Weather: Alabama is getting cooler mornings and a dry, pleasant weekend before heat returns next week.

PFAS Lawsuit in Birmingham: Birmingham filed a federal lawsuit against 3M, DuPont-related companies and other manufacturers, alleging PFAS “forever chemicals” in firefighter turnout gear leach and contaminate fire stations and gear areas, with claims of decades-long risk concealment. Clean Indoor Air Expansion: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act expands on Oct. 1 to cover vaping/e-cigarettes in the same indoor public-place rules as smoking, under the Barbara Drummond and Vivian Davis Figures measure. Applied Digital Data Center Confirmed: Applied Digital says its Delta Forge 2 AI Factory campus will be built in Brookwood, totaling about 1.26 million square feet on 160 acres, with $3.2B investment and promised community benefits payments. Species-Loss Art Install: High Meadows Environmental Institute unveiled Maya Lin’s “What Is Missing?” installation at Princeton, using wildlife imagery to spotlight biodiversity loss. Weather & Health Watch: West Alabama is cooling into the 50s overnight with mostly dry, sunny conditions; Southeast residents are also being warned that heat can extend mosquito and cockroach seasons.

Conservation Deal: Georgia DNR and partners announced a plan to restore and protect the Pine Log Wildlife Management Area, securing 14,640 acres in Bartow and Cherokee counties and bringing back habitat for dozens of priority species. Local Environment & Infrastructure: The Pentagon awarded nearly $18.5 million to improve Anniston Regional Airport’s runway, with work expected to begin after environmental requirements are met—aimed at strengthening access tied to the Anniston Army Depot. Public Health & Air Quality: A new report highlights how data center noise can differ from typical city sound, with low-frequency hums raising concerns for nearby residents. Weather Watch: Central and south Alabama are moving into a cooler, mostly dry stretch with clouds breaking up and weekend temperatures staying in the 80s. Community & Learning: A Decatur nonprofit is launching “Everyday Sunshine U” to support young adults with developmental disabilities with structured learning and connection after they age out of school supports.

Green Infrastructure: Huntsville City Council will vote Thursday on applying for federal funding for the first phase of the North Huntsville Greenway, a planned greenway link between downtown and Alabama A&M. The initial segment (Holmes Avenue to Pratt Avenue) is estimated at up to $13 million, with the city aiming to use existing downtown TIF set-aside money as a match to “double” grant leverage. Public Health & Air Quality: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act is expanding on Oct. 1 to ban vaping in places where smoking is already prohibited, treating electronic nicotine delivery systems like tobacco under the law; officials say enforcement could include fines for businesses and individuals. Energy & Climate Policy: A Sierra Club report grades Alabama Power an F (5/100) for its clean energy transition planning, criticizing the utility for not planning coal retirements in the next 20 years and for limited clean energy buildout, amid EPA repeal of federal power-plant carbon limits. Disaster Resilience Funding: FEMA announced more than $44 million in grants across the Southeast, including Alabama, to support communities’ resilience against future disasters.

Private School Sports Shake-Up: The Alabama Independent School Association voted to end its athletics after the 2026–2027 school year, with plans to transition private-school teams to a new Gulf States Independent Athletic Association. Public Health—Vaping Indoors: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act expands Oct. 1 to cover electronic nicotine delivery systems, treating vaping like smoking in most enclosed public places. Diesel Costs Hit School Transportation: Soaring diesel prices are pressuring districts and bus contractors nationwide, with many already over budget and facing route cuts. Energy Transition Watch: A Sierra Club report grades Alabama Power an “F” (5/100) for not planning coal retirements or major clean-energy buildout. Flood Risk Planning: Lawrence County approved a $125,000 bridge study for CR 387 over Mallard Creek after decades of flooding affecting access to medical care and emergency response. Dental Access Research: NIH funding will support a new national training center exploring tooth-preserving alternatives to root canals, including pulpotomy. Cybersecurity Warning: A nursing license system cyberattack is still forcing paper applications for about 80,000 nurses. Scam Alert: North Alabama veterans are being targeted by fake “extra benefits” postcards, according to the Better Business Bureau.