AGP Executive Report

Coastal Resilience: Four Delaware Bay beaches—Pickering, Kitts Hummock, Bowers and Slaughter—face a major delay in a planned nourishment project, pushed to fall 2027 after required property easements weren’t secured in time. Stormwater & Trees: A Delaware op-ed argues trees should be treated like critical stormwater infrastructure, citing research that trees can cut runoff and reduce flooding while saving money versus engineered systems. Clean Energy Growth: Delaware advanced 16 MW of community solar projects through its JobsFirst permitting push, aiming to lower electricity costs for thousands of households while strengthening the grid. PFAS Accountability: A major New Castle County water utility (Veolia) sued nine PFAS makers/distributors/users to recover the costs of installing filtration to meet stricter PFOA/PFOS limits. Wildlife Protection: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a multi-state legal fight over Endangered Species Act rollbacks, challenging rules that weaken habitat protections. Local Governance & Housing: Delaware’s new housing laws (SB 23 and HB 450) are now moving into the hard part—state rules and local compliance. Public Meeting (CWD): DNREC will hold an informational community meeting Sept. 16 on temporary Chronic Wasting Disease deer regulations, with sign-up required for limited comments.

Climate Watch (Delaware): Delaware just logged one of its hottest summers on record, with a mean temperature of 76.9°F and 30 days at/above 90°F—state climatologist Kevin Brison links the pattern to global warming. Wildlife Health (CWD): DNREC will hold a community meeting Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Georgetown (and online) to explain temporary chronic wasting disease deer hunting rules meant to limit spread in central Sussex County. Coastal & Storm Forecasting: UD researchers are tagging sharks to map colder ocean “cold pool” areas that could improve hurricane forecasting. Energy & Ports: Delaware’s $669M container terminal construction is underway, aiming to quadruple cargo capacity with an all-electric facility, even as legal challenges continue. Endangered Species Legal Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined lawsuits challenging federal Endangered Species Act rollbacks that reduce habitat protections. Community Services (AmeriCorps): AG Nick Brown and a coalition reached a settlement blocking further AmeriCorps dismantling, protecting FY 2026–27 funding. Local Governance & Pollution Permits: A Philly parks official says the Phillies proceeded with synthetic turf without a required state erosion/sediment permit, raising questions about water pollution safeguards.

Climate Watch: Delaware just logged its 3rd hottest summer on record, with mean temperatures 1.7 degrees above the 1991–2020 average and multiple heat waves—state climatologist Kevin Brison says the pattern fits global warming and climate change. Wildlife & Hunting Rules: DNREC will hold a community meeting Sept. 16 (in Georgetown and on Microsoft Teams) to explain temporary Chronic Wasting Disease deer hunting and rehab regulations in central Sussex County, with feedback welcome but not part of the formal comment process. Storm Forecasting Research: University of Delaware researchers are tagging sharks off the coast to track ocean “cold pool” conditions that could improve hurricane forecasting. Coastal Resilience: A Delaware-focused piece looks at ways to better predict future storms as coastal communities plan for what’s coming. Port & Water Impacts: Construction is underway on Delaware’s $669M container terminal in Edgemoor, aiming to boost cargo capacity and move toward an all-electric facility, even as legal challenges continue. Endangered Species Fight: Delaware is part of a broader wave of state lawsuits challenging federal rollbacks to Endangered Species Act protections.

Endangered Species Act in Court: A coalition of 20 states and D.C., including Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and Washington AG Nick Brown, sued to block new federal Endangered Species Act rules that narrow the definition of “harm” and weaken habitat protections—changes critics say could make it easier to degrade wildlife areas for development, drilling, and mining. Delaware Energy Access: Delaware advanced community solar projects accepted into the JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator, aiming to cut electricity costs for thousands of households while expanding clean energy and grid reliability. DNREC & Menhaden: DNREC will co-host a virtual hearing (Sept. 22) on a draft addendum that could reduce the Chesapeake Bay menhaden reduction fishery cap by up to 50% and spread harvest more evenly. Local 9/11 Memory: Delaware Valley’s Red Bandana/Back to School Night honors “Man in the Red Bandana” Welles Crowther ahead of the season opener. Wildlife Discovery: A University of Delaware-led team helped document a live kissing bug found in Portugal after a 5,000-mile journey from the U.S., raising new questions about how species hitch rides across oceans.

Endangered Species Act Fight: Delaware’s neighbors and other states are suing the Trump administration over new Endangered Species Act rules that narrow what counts as “harm” to wildlife habitats and weaken protections for threatened species, with multiple states challenging Fish and Wildlife and NOAA actions in court. Delaware Energy Access: Delaware advanced community solar projects in Seaford, Townsend, and Clayton through its JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator, aiming to cut power bills for thousands of households while boosting clean energy investment. DNREC Fisheries Planning: DNREC will co-host a virtual hearing with New Jersey on potential Atlantic menhaden management changes, including options that could reduce the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery cap and spread effort more evenly. Port & Food Supply Chain: Maryland announced a new grain transloading facility at the Port of Baltimore to help farmers export grains more efficiently, adding container-loading capacity and supporting global shipping. Local Community & Environment: Philadelphia’s “Chinatown Stitch” effort is framed as a way to reconnect communities divided by the Vine Street Expressway, with environmental and neighborhood impacts tied to the long-running divide.

DNREC Permitting Reform: Gov. Matt Meyer signed House Bill 456 to streamline Delaware’s Subaqueous Lands Act, setting clearer processing timelines for small residential docks and other work in tidal waters—aiming for faster, more predictable decisions while protecting public access and safety. Offshore Wind Appeal: A South Bethany property owner’s challenge to DNREC’s offshore wind approval is set for Oct. 13, after the Delaware Environmental Appeals Board agreed the case deserves a full hearing over coastal impacts and public notice issues. ChristianaCare “Microhospital” Fight: Bayhealth, Beebe, and TidalHealth are pushing back on ChristianaCare’s proposed Georgetown microhospital, arguing the term isn’t defined in Delaware law and questioning the project’s legal authority and joint-venture structure. Energy Costs in Court: Delmarva Power appealed a Delaware Public Service Commission order on interim rates, saying the directive undercuts what the company is authorized to recover for grid investments needed for safe, reliable service. Renewables Opposition Trend: A national report finds a record number of local restrictions on renewable projects, with 865 tracked restrictions and hundreds of contested projects—showing how opposition can slow clean-energy builds. Solar-Electric Boat for Delaware River: A mostly solar-powered catamaran, Firefly, is headed from Maine to Camden to serve as a floating classroom for local students, bringing hands-on science lessons on the Delaware River. Marine Pollution Enforcement: MSC Shipmanagement and the owner of MSC Samira III were fined $1.75 million after pleading guilty to concealing illegal oily waste discharges into the ocean.

Delaware Water & Permitting: DNREC signed into law a package that streamlines subaqueous lands permitting for docks and utility crossings, setting clearer timelines and allowing automatic approval for certain small residential projects if DNREC doesn’t act in time. Coastal & Stormwater Resilience: A new Delaware-focused commentary argues trees are an underused, cost-efficient stormwater tool for coastal communities facing stronger storms and overburdened drainage. Local Environment & Wildlife: Delaware’s coastal waters get a wildlife nod with a report of a great barracuda caught off the coast. Marine Pollution Enforcement: A federal case in the region orders MSC Shipmanagement to pay $1.75 million for illegal oily waste discharges, including bypassing pollution controls and falsifying oil record books. Energy & Grid Costs: Delmarva Power appeals a PSC directive over interim rates, saying the order cuts what it’s allowed to recover for investments tied to safe, reliable service. Climate/Weather Context: A summer recap notes eastern New York and western New England saw near-average temperatures but wet swings and storm impacts influenced by a strong El Niño.

Delaware SHINES Solar Program: Gov. Matt Meyer announced Delaware SHINES, a new solar + battery storage incentive network offering grants, loans, and rebates to cut energy bills, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and ease grid strain. Stormwater Education: Sussex Conservation District and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension kicked off free stormwater management seminars starting Sept. 16, with sessions on Stormwater 101 and pond health to help residents reduce runoff pollution. Coastal Cleanup Call: Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park is recruiting volunteers for DNREC’s 39th Annual Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to noon, to remove litter and protect beaches, waterways, and wildlife. Local Climate Resilience Talk: Sussex County League of Women Voters hosts a Sept. 15 event featuring Delaware Sea Grant’s Danielle Swallow on preparing for rising seas and climate hazards. Wildlife & Habitat Note: Delaware anglers are seeing more warm-water species, with a recent great barracuda catch off the coast highlighted as another sign of changing ocean conditions.

Delaware SHINES Solar Program: Gov. Matt Meyer announced Delaware’s “Solar + Storage Home Incentive Network for Economic Stability,” aiming to cut energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions with grants, loans, and rebates for solar and battery storage for residents, small businesses, and nonprofits. Coastal Cleanup Call: Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park is recruiting volunteers for DNREC’s 39th Annual Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-noon, with results feeding into statewide litter-tracking. Stormwater Training: Sussex Conservation District and UD Cooperative Extension kick off free stormwater management seminars starting Sept. 16, including “Stormwater 101,” to help residents and communities reduce runoff pollution. Sea-Level Reality Check: A NOAA-based analysis highlights how Delaware-area barrier coasts face serious flooding risk as sea levels rise, underscoring the need for resilience planning. Wildlife & Water Notes: A Delaware angler reports a rare great barracuda catch off the coast, pointing to shifting marine life as waters warm. Tribal Community Update: The Nanticoke Indian Association’s community center expansion is progressing, with utility delays (a Verizon pole and a new Delmarva Power transformer) as the main remaining hurdle.

Coastal Cleanup Call: Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park is recruiting volunteers for DNREC’s 39th Annual Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19 (9 a.m.-noon), with groups meeting at 8:45 a.m. at the Point parking lot; organizers say every bit of litter removed helps protect beaches, waterways, and wildlife, and results will feed into DNREC’s statewide tracking. Stormwater Education: Sussex Conservation District and UD Cooperative Extension are hosting free stormwater management seminars starting Sept. 16, including “Stormwater 101” (pond maintenance, vegetation management, and Delaware regulations) plus a later session on meadow and buffer strategies. Sea-Level Rise Prep: A Sussex County League of Women Voters event on Sept. 15 in Bethany Beach will feature Delaware Sea Grant’s Danielle Swallow on “Rising Seas, Rising Stakes,” focusing on how communities can prepare for climate and weather hazards. DNREC Permitting Update: DNREC is rolling out a new law streamlining subaqueous lands permitting, aiming to speed approvals for work in Delaware’s underwater areas. Wildlife & Recreation: A Delaware angler reports catching a rare great barracuda off the coast, pointing to how warmer waters can shift what species show up locally.

Coastal Cleanup Call: Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park is recruiting volunteers for DNREC’s 39th Annual Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-noon, with a 8:45 a.m. meet-up at the Point parking lot; organizers say every bit of litter removed helps protect beaches, waterways, and wildlife, and results will feed into DNREC’s statewide litter-tracking data. Stormwater Education: The Sussex Conservation District, with UD Cooperative Extension, is launching free stormwater management seminars starting Sept. 16 (Stormwater 101) at the Carvel Research and Education Center near Georgetown, with sessions focused on practical best practices to cut runoff pollution. Sea-Level Reality Check: A NOAA-based analysis highlights how Delaware-area planning needs to match rising seas, with NJ barrier islands facing major losses by 2100 at low-rise thresholds—an urgent reminder for coastal resilience planning. Wildlife Watch: A Delaware angler reports catching a great barracuda off the coast for the first time locally, pointing to shifting marine life as ocean conditions warm. Community Climate Prep: The Sussex County League of Women Voters hosts a Sept. 15 talk in Bethany Beach on preparing Delaware for rising seas and climate hazards.

Stormwater & Resilience: Sussex Conservation District and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension are launching a free stormwater seminar series starting Sept. 16 at the Carvel Research and Education Center west of Georgetown, with sessions on “Stormwater 101” plus later guidance on pond health, meadows, buffers, and better stormwater practices. Coastal Risk Prep: A separate community event highlights “Preparing for sea level rise” programming set for Sept. 15, with Delaware Sea Grant support aimed at helping residents plan for what’s next. Local Nature Protection: Sussex County’s council adopted its first forest preservation law, requiring developers to preserve 30% of forests in growth areas and 50% in rural areas—an effort to slow tree loss tied to rapid development. Wildlife Update: A great barracuda was reportedly caught off the Delaware coast, adding to a summer run of warm-water species showing up as ocean conditions shift.

Sea-Level Prep in Sussex: The Sussex County League of Women Voters is hosting a Sept. 15 talk at Cottage Cafe on preparing Delaware for rising seas, with Delaware Sea Grant’s Danielle Swallow explaining local resilience planning. DNREC & Coastal Infrastructure: DNREC is moving ahead with subaqueous lands permitting streamlining, and Delaware Seashore State Park’s sand bypass work is set to resume mid-September—both aimed at keeping projects moving as coastal pressures grow. Forest Protection in Sussex: Sussex County adopted its first forest preservation law, requiring developers to preserve 30% of forests in growth areas and 50% in rural areas. Local Housing Pressure: Georgetown is reviewing a proposal for 124 cottage homes, but the town is moving to repeal the cottage community ordinance that would have allowed it. Wildlife & Warming Signals: A Delaware angler reports a rare great barracuda catch off the coast, pointing to how warmer waters are bringing new species into local fishing grounds. Community & Climate Education: University of Delaware’s DENIN is expanding hands-on environmental awareness training for STEM educators through workshops like “Crowdsourcing Conservation.”

Mail Voting Fight: Delaware AG Nick Brown and a coalition of 25 states won a preliminary court order blocking USPS from forcing states to get federal approval for ballot-envelope designs and to use a new tracking portal ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, with the administration expected to appeal. Coastal Risk: A new NOAA-based analysis warns Jersey Shore barrier islands could be heavily submerged by 2100—at just 2.5 feet of sea-level rise, large stretches face high-tide flooding, and higher rises could shrink islands to slivers. DNREC & Water Quality: Delaware’s Sussex Conservation District kicks off a Stormwater Seminar Series (starting Sept. 16) to help residents and groups manage runoff and protect local waterways. Local Resilience & Community: The Nanticoke Indian Association’s community center expansion is moving forward, with utility delays (a Verizon pole and a new Delmarva Power transformer) as the main remaining hurdle. Delaware Rail: Delaware received a federal grant to study passenger rail expansion south through Kent and Sussex, with potential links to Salisbury or Berlin, Maryland. Nature & Education: The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays brings the NSF/NCAR exhibit “Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities” to James Farm through Oct. 24.

Data Centers & the Economy: A new Federal Reserve Beige Book says data center demand is boosting construction and manufacturing across multiple regions, even as grassroots opposition to the facilities behind the AI boom keeps growing. EPA Public Input: Critics warn a proposed EPA rule could weaken public comment by letting states issue air permits for data centers before permits are approved, shifting power to developers and creating a patchwork of state practices. Delaware Rail Study: Delaware received a Federal Railroad Administration grant to study passenger rail “Diamond State Line” service south through Kent and Sussex into Maryland, with environmental work only in later phases if the project advances. DNREC Sticker Fix: DNREC will replace peeling Delaware state park pass stickers after complaints, including issues tied to how the newer stickers are applied. Stormwater Learning: Sussex Conservation District and UD Cooperative Extension kick off a Stormwater Seminar Series in Georgetown starting Sept. 16, focused on practical best management practices to protect local waterways. Microplastics Push: Delaware AG Jeff Jackson joined a multistate effort urging EPA to add microplastics to drinking-water monitoring rules. Housing & Trees in Sussex: Sussex County adopted its first forest preservation law, requiring developers to preserve significant forest cover in growth and rural areas, as the county also weighs housing pressures including a proposed 124 cottage homes in Georgetown.

Supreme Court Climate Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a Colorado climate-liability case that could reshape multibillion-dollar lawsuits by state and local governments against fossil-fuel companies—while some of those governments face budget strain and service cuts. Delaware Rail Push: Delaware received a federal grant to study passenger rail expansion (“Diamond State Line”) south through Kent and Sussex into Maryland, with environmental work only if the first phase clears. Microplastics in Drinking Water: Delaware joined a coalition of attorneys general urging the EPA to require microplastics monitoring under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Coastal Resilience: DNREC says the Indian River Inlet Sand Bypass will restart around Sept. 11, with temporary beach access restrictions through mid-2027. Stormwater Education: Sussex Conservation District and UD Cooperative Extension kick off a Stormwater Seminar Series Sept. 16 at Georgetown’s Carvel Research & Education Center. Inland Bays Exhibit: “Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities” opens at James Farm through Oct. 24. DelDOT Road Safety Response: DelDOT says a separate Fred Hudson Road pathway can’t be added to the 2027 bridge replacement, citing environmental review delays and lack of dedicated funding.