AGP Executive Report

Coastal Rules Fight: The NC Court of Appeals sent part of a coastal rules dispute back to a trial judge, striking down eight rules as ambiguous while letting others stand—another twist in how state agencies write and enforce shoreline regulations. PFAS & Clean Water: North Carolina and chemical companies reached a $455M “forever chemicals” settlement, with advocates calling it too little while communities push for stronger cleanup and accountability. Data Center Pressure: A new Wells Fargo tracker says local moratoriums on data centers have surged to 374 nationwide, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions as residents cite electricity, grid capacity, and water impacts. Coastal Infrastructure Hearings: NCDOT held public hearings on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, where most speakers urged a 65-foot design and opposed tolls—raising concerns about traffic, costs, safety, and environmental effects. Saltwater Intrusion Research: ECU students are helping NSF-funded researchers track soil salinity and saltwater intrusion along coastal sites, aiming to improve monitoring and protect farms, wetlands, and water supplies. Health & Safety: A Winston-Salem Falls-Free Expo highlights how older adults in NC face high fall risk, with prevention steps like balance screenings and home safety upgrades.

PFAS Fallout in the Cape Fear: North Carolina and 11 local governments announced a landmark $455M settlement with Chemours, DuPont and Corteva over “forever chemicals” tied to the Fayetteville Works facility, with $75M to the state and $380M split locally for water infrastructure and mitigation. Coastal Flooding Reality Check: A new report says some NC coastal towns now flood from routine high tides up to 100 days a year as sea levels rise, straining roads and stormwater systems. Water-Supply Drought Response: Raleigh says July rains improved drought conditions, but officials are still planning long-term protections, including dam upgrades and possible alternate-day irrigation. Public Health Watch: FDA classified six liquid/foaming hand soaps recalled in 15 states as Class II for possible bacterial contamination. Mosquito Control: Oak Island scheduled mosquito fogging for Sept. 16-17, with residents advised to stay away during treatment. Local Environment & Community: Buncombe County commissioners approved conservation easement funding and a Deaverview Mountain master plan contract. Data Center Backlash: A new tracker says local moratoriums on data centers have surged, with North Carolina among states seeing the most restrictions.

Hurricane Helene Aftermath: Nearly two years after the storm, a sheriff’s office says human remains of a Helene victim were identified in East Tennessee, underscoring how long recovery and investigations can take. Western NC Recovery: Reporting from the mountains finds progress is uneven—some communities have major restoration work underway while others still face missing roads/bridges and limited travel access. Coastal Protection & Access: NC DEQ’s Division of Coastal Management launched a new online hub for The Topsail Nature Preserve, laying out public access, responsible recreation rules, and habitat stewardship as the site transitioned to DEQ management in May 2026. Outer Banks Safety: A Tuesday forecast flags dangerous rip currents along parts of the Outer Banks, with guidance to heed beach flags and avoid swimming when risks are high. PFAS Cleanup: North Carolina is moving forward on a major “forever chemicals” settlement, with Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva agreeing to $455M to resolve claims. Data Centers & Local Power/Water Strain: A new report says local moratoriums on data centers have surged nationwide, with North Carolina among states seeing the most restrictions—driven by electricity costs, grid capacity, and community impacts. Community College Funding: Lawmakers’ new Propel NC model shifts funding toward short-term job training in high-demand fields, aiming to better match workforce needs.

Data Center Fight: A Wells Fargo tracker says local moratoriums on data center construction have surged to 374 nationwide, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions—driven by worries over electricity costs, grid capacity, water use, and community impacts. Local Zoning: Southport approved a 15-month data center moratorium while it updates its unified development ordinance, including proposed limits aimed at noise, light, and strain on water and the electric grid. PFAS Accountability: Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva reached a $455 million settlement with North Carolina and local entities over PFAS claims tied to Fayetteville Works and other alleged contamination, with payments set over 15 years. Coastal Climate Risk: A Kelvin wave linked to El Niño is expected to raise sea levels along Southern California by about 6–12 inches, increasing flood and erosion risk—an example of how warming oceans can amplify coastal hazards. Storm Memory: Eastern North Carolina marked eight years since Hurricane Florence, recalling evacuations, flooding, and the long recovery.

PFAS Fallout in NC: North Carolina and local governments secured a record $455 million settlement with Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva over “forever chemicals,” with payments spread over 15 years and funds aimed at drinking-water and related cleanup needs. Water Infrastructure: Bladen County will receive $26.6 million over a decade under a DuPont/Chemours settlement to upgrade municipal water systems, while environmental remediation obligations remain in place. Coastal Flooding Reality Check: Researchers say some NC coastal towns are flooding up to 100 days a year as higher sea levels stack on top of normal tides, disrupting commutes and daily life. Methane Monitoring: DEQ is investigating elevated methane and hydrogen sulfide near homes by the old Beaufort refuse dump and is offering free methane alarms while testing continues. Local Planning: NCDOT is holding public hearings on two alternatives for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, including how each option could affect the environment and nearby communities. Invasive Species Watch: Officials are asking people to report sightings of Joro spiders after they were found in the Great Smoky Mountains area and Knoxville. Heat-Workplace Pressure: Activists marched to Costa Farms nurseries in western NC demanding protections from extreme heat, including water, shade, and paid breaks. Aviation Safety Ripple: Amazon says it is pausing its partnership with 21 Air after a Miami runway crash killed five; the carrier has flown Amazon packages from North Carolina.

PFAS Settlement: North Carolina reached a major $455 million PFAS deal with Chemours, DuPont and Corteva tied to Fayetteville Works, with an additional $18 million for PFAS contamination outside that site—while lawsuits from affected localities are expected to continue. Public Health & Climate: Tick-borne illness concerns are rising, with lawmakers pushing stronger research, prevention and education as warmer conditions may boost tick populations. Weather & Flood Readiness: Eastern North Carolina is bracing for a next cold front and scattered storms, while Orange County marked the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Irene with an emergency exercise focused on flooding, power outages and evacuations. Local Environment & Water: A Richmond County airport expansion got approved with state-funded support, and separate reporting highlights ongoing water and ecology research efforts tied to saltwater impacts on NC ecology. Community Conservation: App State-linked groups are leading waterfowl conservation efforts, and Wake Forest earned Level II arboretum status for campus tree planning and maintenance. Data Centers & Local Impacts: A new report says data center moratoriums are surging nationwide, with North Carolina among states seeing the most local restrictions over electricity, grid capacity and water use.

PFAS Cleanup Deal: North Carolina reached a $455 million settlement with Chemours, DuPont and Corteva over “forever chemicals” tied to Fayetteville Works, with $18 million for PFAS contamination outside the Fayetteville area and a 50/50 split among the companies. Peatland Restoration: A company is leading restoration for North Carolina peatlands in the Inner Banks, aiming to rewet drained peat that can otherwise dry out, burn, and release large amounts of climate-warming carbon. Air Quality & Weather Watch: Forecasts call for a drier end to the weekend and lower humidity coming soon, while other coverage flags storm and flash-flood risks returning to North Carolina. Hurricane Aftermath: Reports note Hurricane Helene-related human remains were found years later, underscoring how long impacts can linger after major flooding. Energy & Resilience: The U.S. Army is backing transportable nuclear microreactors, including a plan that could bring power to Fort Bragg, N.C., by 2028. Data Center Pressure: A new Wells Fargo tracker says local data-center moratoriums have quadrupled nationwide, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions as communities push back over power, water and grid strain.

Data Centers & Local Power: Wells Fargo’s tracker says U.S. local moratoriums on data center builds have jumped to 374, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions—driven by worries about electricity costs, grid capacity, water use, and impacts on nearby communities. Coastal Climate Watch: An El Niño-linked Kelvin wave is headed toward California, raising sea levels by about 6–12 inches and increasing coastal flood risk during storms and high tides—an early warning for how warming seas can amplify extreme weather. UNC Weather Disruption: Lightning forced a delay in UNC’s home opener vs. ETSU, underscoring how hotter, stormier conditions are shaping schedules and safety planning. Saltwater Intrusion Research: ECU students and faculty are studying saltwater intrusion along the NC coast with NSF support, focusing on soil salinization’s threats to farms, wetlands, water quality, and biodiversity. PFAS Money in Motion: North Carolina announced a record $590M PFAS settlement involving Chemours and DuPont, continuing the push to fund cleanup and reduce long-term contamination risks.

PFAS Accountability in NC: North Carolina announced a record $590M settlement with DuPont and Chemours over PFAS contamination, with officials saying it’s the largest state environmental damages recovery—while lawsuits tied to Cape Fear River impacts are still moving forward. Coastal Fisheries Ruling: A Wake County judge ruled the state failed to protect coastal fisheries, finding none of NC’s managed stocks are viable—raising pressure for stronger marine rules. Saltwater Intrusion Research: ECU researchers and students are studying saltwater intrusion and soil salinization along the NC coast, linking the science to impacts on farms, wetlands, and water quality. Disaster-Ready Internet: NCDIT launched a $1M Broadband Satellite Resiliency Grant to help schools, libraries, and other community anchors buy backup satellite connectivity for hurricanes and outages. Local Data Center Backlash: A Wells Fargo tracker says local data center moratoriums have surged nationwide, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions as communities cite power, water, and grid strain.

PFAS Fallout in Robeson County: North Carolina’s $590 million PFAS settlement with Chemours and DuPont is set to send Robeson County nearly $23 million over time, with about $2.3 million in the first year to support cleanup and remediation as residents press for safe drinking water. Local Conservation Win: Morehead City landed a $500,000 state grant to help build a new public waterfront nature park on Spooner’s Creek, adding momentum toward conservation and public access. Data Center Backlash: A Wells Fargo tracker finds local data-center moratoriums have surged to 374 nationwide, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions as communities cite power costs, grid limits, and water impacts. Coastal Forest Loss: A new map estimates more than 10 million dead trees along the Atlantic coast as saltwater pushes inland, reshaping coastal woodlands. Sand Mining Fight: Brunswick County approved a second sand mine in Supply, but excavation can’t start until the existing pit is exhausted, after neighbors raised groundwater and noise concerns.

Air Quality Watch: NC DEQ will hold an Oct. 13 public hearing on a draft air quality permit for the proposed Carolina Lithium mine and processing facility in Gaston County, covering emissions from mining, crushing, and concentrating spodumene into lithium hydroxide. PFAS Accountability: North Carolina reached a record $590 million PFAS settlement with DuPont and Chemours, with officials saying it’s the largest state environmental damages recovery—while affected communities continue pressing for answers and more cleanup. Climate Resilience Finance: A new push argues the U.S. still has a “climate resilience finance gap,” warning that communities need earlier preparation and better funding to avoid getting stuck in costly disaster recovery. Soil Health Research: NC State and partners found living and dead soil microbes can signal soil carbon storage sooner than traditional tests, pointing to faster ways to track regenerative practices. Peatland Restoration: Researchers are racing to restore critical peatland before it dries out or is destroyed, as warming and drying threaten major carbon and habitat losses. Data Center Growth Debate: Southport’s moratorium adds fuel to the fight over rapid data center expansion and its local impacts.

PFAS Accountability in the Cape Fear: North Carolina and 11 local governments reached a landmark $590 million settlement with DuPont and Chemours over “forever chemicals” tied to the Fayetteville Works facility, with $455 million earmarked for the state and localities over 10–15 years and a $135 million cleanup reserve to keep long-term drinking-water obligations funded; officials say it’s the largest environmental damages recovery in state history. Local PFAS Fallout: Cumberland County separately announced a $161.5 million PFAS settlement tied to private-well contamination, underscoring how multiple communities are pursuing compensation and cleanup resources. Peatland Rescue Race: A new push is underway to restore critical peatland in North Carolina before it dries out or is destroyed, aiming to stop drained peat from fueling drought and wildfire risk while cutting climate-warming carbon emissions. Flood and Storm Context: A report notes September has brought the most precipitation in North Carolina since 1895, while another story points to a potentially unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season driven by El Niño and Sahara dust. AmeriCorps Protection: North Carolina’s AG Jeff Jackson joined a coalition settlement blocking federal moves to dismantle AmeriCorps, keeping community service funding stable through FY 2026–2027. Data Centers and Local Votes: Southport is weighing a proposed moratorium on data center development as voters and candidates debate impacts on infrastructure, utilities, and the environment.

PFAS Accountability: North Carolina reached a nearly $500 million settlement with Chemours, DuPont and Corteva over “forever chemicals” tied to PFAS discharges into the Cape Fear River and other waterways, with most money flowing to 11 affected municipalities and payments set over 15 years. State Environmental Leadership: NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson and NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson are set to make a major environmental announcement with Cumberland County commissioners. Coastal Cleanup Prevention: Coastal officials from NC’s 20 coastal counties will meet Sept. 15 for a workshop on abandoned boats and resilient docks, pushing local rules and dock inspection programs to avoid costly post-storm debris. Grid Stress & Weather Tech: Climavision is opening its private radar network and forecasting platform to AI data centers and grid operators as PJM moves toward requiring large users to secure power by June 2027. Drought Watch: A new drought summary says Oklahoma’s exceptional drought expanded while parts of the central U.S. stayed dry, with some heavy rain easing conditions in scattered areas including parts of eastern North Carolina. Post-Helene Recovery Scrutiny: Two years after Hurricane Helene, reporting highlights ongoing FEMA chaos and the search for a “recovery czar” in western North Carolina.

Peatland Rescue in NC: Scientists and investors are racing to restore a critical North Carolina peatland before it dries out or burns, after decades of drainage left it vulnerable to drought and wildfires and turning it into a major source of climate-warming carbon emissions. PFAS Watch: A federal appeals court upheld EPA’s move to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, keeping cleanup and reporting pressure on “forever chemicals.” Air Quality & Wildfire Smoke: Health experts warn wildfire smoke can worsen allergies and asthma well beyond the smoky week, with new hotspots potentially bringing smoky haze to the Piedmont. Local Tech, Privacy & Costs: Catawba ended a 60-day trial of Flock license-plate reader cameras, citing about $20,000 a year in costs and operational hurdles. Community Conservation Milestone: North Carolina Aquariums marked 50 years of education and conservation, celebrating aquatic wildlife rescue and research across the state. Energy Costs Concern: Residents are voicing fears that a Dominion–NextEra merger could raise bills and affect reliability, pushing for more scrutiny and hearings.

Peatland Restoration: Investors and scientists are restoring a 23-square-mile peatland in North Carolina’s Inner Banks to cut climate-warming carbon pollution and rebuild habitat after decades of drainage left it vulnerable to drought and wildfires. PFAS Health Study: NC State won a $4.2 million, four-year grant to track long-term health effects of PFAS and perfluoroalkyl ether acids (including GenX) in more than 1,000 residents across the Cape Fear River Basin. Disaster Housing Recovery: FEMA is expected to deliver $16.8 million to rebuild affordable homes in Hendersonville after Helene, as the area still faces a shortage of housing residents can afford. Cooling in Schools: Davidson County Schools approved a new chiller for North Davidson Middle as parents push for fixes after students faced extreme indoor heat during AC failures. Marine Life Watch: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries released its annual Fishery Management Plan Review, outlining the health of key coastal species and how science guides fishing rules. Community Resilience: Warren County is holding its “Night to Unite” event to connect residents with first responders and local resources.

Disaster Recovery: FEMA announced nearly $33 million for North Carolina recovery from Hurricane Helene, including $15.8M for the Graham-Mebane Spillway, $9.7M for NCDOT road/bridge repairs, and $1.7M for Laurel Park’s Roberts Drive, plus $618K in hazard mitigation to turn flood-prone properties into permanent open space. Air Quality & Wildfire Smoke: Buncombe County Air Quality recognized partners for the post-Helene particulate monitoring effort, adding new sensors to track smoke impacts from debris burning and dust across more remote areas. Local Climate Resilience: NCDOT says Ogden’s collapsed cut-through will be fixed with a larger, custom pipe and utility adjustments, with repairs targeted for the end of the month. Data Centers & Energy Impacts: Durham residents urged commissioners to tighten its data center pause beyond the 100,000 sq. ft. threshold, warning smaller sites can still drive energy, water, air, noise, and surveillance harms. PFAS & Health: A Chemours/DuPont PFAS case found liable for PFAS entering NC properties, with a jury trial set for March. Weather Watch: A tropical record-setting week is likely as El Niño patterns shift, while North Carolina’s near-term forecast trends dry before humidity and storm chances return.