AGP Executive Report

Urban Forestry: Atlanta’s tree canopy is shrinking, with a Georgia Tech assessment finding the city lost about a quarter-acre of trees every day from 2008 to 2023 and now sits around 45.7% coverage, moving away from its 50% goal. Public Health: DeKalb County confirmed four more mosquito surveillance traps tested positive for West Nile virus, with no human cases reported so far this year; officials urge residents to dump standing water weekly. Water & PFAS: Rome approved $34 million for reverse osmosis equipment to cut PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in drinking water, funded by a settlement tied to contamination; completion is expected by 2029. Air & Climate Impacts: Georgia Tech economists warn wildfire smoke is eroding air-quality gains and can raise healthcare costs while hurting productivity and spending. Local Land Use & Health: Residents in Putnam and Baldwin counties rallied against proposed rock quarries, citing silica dust risks, plus concerns about dust, runoff, and impacts to wells and property values. Community & Pollinators: DeKalb Parks will host a free beekeeping program Aug. 29 for ages 10+ at a Lithonia youth farm, with hands-on hive viewing and honey extraction.

Data Center Siting Fight in Atlanta: Atlanta City Council approved a new Data Center Task Force to weigh best practices and impacts on the electric grid, water supply, noise, taxes, and ratepayer costs. Local Zoning Scrutiny: In Statesboro, residents are pressing questions ahead of a Tuesday zoning hearing over a proposed data center, including groundwater risks and water use claims. County Code Tensions: Hall County’s unified development code update drew heated public comment, with data center rules among the flashpoints. Water & Wildlife Impacts: Gainesville reported a sewage spill into Lake Knickerbocker—about 3,600 gallons—while Savannah’s Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge is dealing with a lightning-started wildfire burning roughly 100 acres. Public Health: DeKalb County added more West Nile virus-positive mosquito trap results and urged residents to cut standing water. Conservation & Land Protection: South Carolina’s plan to buy the “White Tract” near Cape Romain refuge highlights how septic-heavy development proposals can collide with refuge protection. Wildlife-Friendly Gardening: UGA research says centipedegrass can support bee larvae, offering a practical angle for pollinator habitat in Georgia yards.

Disaster Relief Funding: Georgia’s government approved $200,000 (500,000 lari) from its reserve fund to Telavi Municipality to help cover recovery from a natural disaster, via a decree signed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Water Security: Douglas County says its water system is protected against cyberattacks, pointing to regularly updated complex passwords and isolated internal networks after recent Georgia incidents that triggered boil-water advisories or manual control. Invasive Species: A new federal push to curb feral hogs highlights how hard eradication is and why coordinated, sustained trapping efforts may matter more than one-off attempts. Wildlife Conservation: Maine is again asking residents to help search for the rusty patched bumble bee, a rare species once listed as endangered, using backyard sightings and community photos. Local Governance & Environment: Decatur plans to discuss automated license plate readers amid privacy concerns, while Milton will review a capital improvements update tied to development impact fees. Agriculture: Georgia’s environment and agriculture minister visited wheat farms in Marneuli to review variety testing and efforts to preserve local wheat genetics.

Data Centers & Water: A new look at whether data centers can pollute groundwater says leaks are the real risk, since cooling systems can involve chemicals like PFAS, chlorine, and biocides—though clear-cut cases of contamination are still rare. Local Governance & Privacy: Decatur’s commission will discuss automated license plate readers, with police citing public safety while residents raise privacy worries about surveillance and misuse. Community Water Protection: Brookhaven volunteers marked storm drain inlets with “no dumping” signs to remind residents that runoff flows straight to local waterways. Solar for Buckhead: Cherry Street Energy and Jamestown are partnering on a rooftop solar installation at Spanx’s headquarters in Buckhead Village, aiming to cut operating electricity costs. Wildlife & Habitat: Georgia hunters are being urged to download the free Hunt Regs app for small game season, including easy access to rules and a way to report illegal activity. Extreme Heat: Health guidance is circulating as dangerous summer heat persists, with reminders to take precautions.

Nuclear Policy Clash: A newly released, formerly hidden summary of a JASON nuclear safety study says plutonium pits are aging but still adequate for weapons—yet it also recommends continuing pit production, fueling fresh fights over new atomic weapons plants in New Mexico and South Carolina. Water & Drought Watch: Georgia’s EPD extended a statewide Drought Response Level 1, prompting Lowndes County Utilities to issue a public notice while stressing no new restrictions yet. Local Water Protection: Brookhaven volunteers in the Pine Hills area marked storm drain inlets with “no dumping” signs to remind residents that runoff flows straight to local waterways. Data Center Pressure in Georgia: Atlas Development ended a $5.7 million Rome data center land agreement at the Battey Business Complex, after federal grants supported asbestos removal and residents organized against the proposal. Energy Jobs in Monroe: DeltaX announced a $141M investment to build its North American manufacturing headquarters in Monroe, bringing about 250 jobs. Wildlife & Water Quality: A new focus on alligators as bioindicators highlights how these animals can help track contaminants in coastal ecosystems across the Southeast, including Georgia.

Waterway Protection: Brookhaven volunteers in the Pine Hills area marked storm drain inlets with “no dumping” signs to remind residents that litter and yard debris flow straight into local waterways. Drought Watch: Georgia EPD extended a statewide Drought Response Level 1, prompting Lowndes County Utilities to issue a public notice while outdoor watering remains allowed under existing guidelines. Wildlife & Health: A CDC update says the bacterium that causes melioidosis is naturally occurring in Gulf Coast soil and water, with researchers describing it as endemic in parts of the South, including likely Georgia. Local Water Infrastructure: Lowndes County Utilities posted notice tied to the drought declaration, urging residents to conserve as conditions are monitored. Community Science: UGA hosted its Turfgrass Field Day in Griffin, featuring sessions on beneficial insects, irrigation tech, and sustainable disease management. Pollinator Push: A Great Southeast Pollinator Census recap highlights how short, careful backyard counts are helping expand native plantings and habitat for pollinators across the region. Data Center Backlash (Rome): Atlas Development ended a $5.7 million Battey data center agreement in Rome, after residents organized against the proposal. AI & Public Skepticism: An OpenAI “luxury eco-retreat” sparked backlash over perceived greenwashing and water use concerns, fueling broader debate about AI’s environmental footprint.

Heat & health: Augusta officials urged residents to use cooling centers as extreme heat pushes heat indexes around 105–110, while Piedmont doctors warned some common blood pressure, heart, diabetes, and kidney meds can raise risk of dehydration and heat illness. Pollinators & native habitat: A Great Southeast Pollinator Census participant shared how 15 minutes of careful backyard watching led to more native plantings and bee habitat; separately, SUSTAIN.’s Reserve in Bowdon held a BioBlitz that logged 15 new native plant species and will add interpretive trail markers. Local environment education: Brookhaven is seeking volunteers for a storm drain marker event to help prevent pollutants from washing into local waterways. Turf & sustainable management: UGA’s Griffin Campus hosted a Turfgrass Field Day focused on beneficial insects, irrigation tech, and sustainable disease control. Water safety & cyber risk: Federal agencies warned of malicious cyber tampering targeting water and wastewater monitoring and control, including attempted intrusions reported in Utah. Nuclear/environment debate: A nuclear watchdog says newly released parts of a plutonium pit aging report strengthen opposition to new atomic weapons plants, even as federal views differ.

Heat Safety: Augusta officials are warning residents that extreme heat and humidity are pushing heat index values around 105–110°F, with cooling centers open for anyone who needs relief. Coastal Resilience: Liberty County is trying a “living shoreline” approach to slow creekside erosion in a coastal park as high tides keep eating away at the bank. Marsh Protection Plan: Georgia is rolling out a new plan to preserve marshes by giving them space to migrate. Stormwater Pollution Prevention: Brookhaven is seeking volunteers for a Pine Hills storm drain marker event to educate residents that stormwater can carry pollutants straight to local waterways. Native Habitat Work: SUSTAIN.’s Reserve in Bowdon held a BioBlitz that logged 15 new native plant species on-site, bringing the total to 73, and marked plants for interpretive trails. Bees & Training: UGA vet students are preparing to treat honeybees as colony losses remain steep, reflecting growing pressure on pollinators. Air Quality Tips: A guide explains when it’s safer to open windows during wildfire smoke or poor air quality, noting that indoor air can still be worse than outdoor conditions. Community Preparedness: Macon-Bibb EMA is accepting student artwork for its 2027 emergency preparedness calendar, due Sept. 30.

Data Center Pushback in Georgia: Fulton County former Commissioner Natalie Hall is urging more transparency on data center water and power demands after the county approved a resolution opposing tax abatements for the projects. Local Governance & Public Process: In Talbot County, residents are suing commissioners over a data center ordinance amendment they say passed without proper notice, a public hearing, planning review, or meaningful discussion. Air Pollution Oversight: Georgia EPD will hold a virtual public hearing Friday on draft air permits for new gas-and-oil-fired units at Plant McIntosh, tied to Georgia Power’s effort to meet surging data center electricity needs. Water Pollution Threat: A Georgia environmental group is threatening federal court against a Fayetteville QTS data center, alleging contaminated runoff is reaching a creek that feeds the Flint River. Wildlife & Land Use: DNR is advising residents on how to encourage a bear lingering near Stonebridge in Newnan to move on by removing easy food sources. Heat & Climate Context: A national report highlights how hotter conditions are increasing the likelihood of extreme weather, underscoring the stakes for Georgia’s air and water planning.

Data Centers & Power Strain: Effingham County’s proposed “Project Camellia” data center could reach 3,200 megawatts, prompting scrutiny of how Georgia’s grid and air permits can handle the load, including a Friday public hearing on Georgia Power’s Plant McIntosh expansion. Local Zoning Pushback: Marietta City Council approved zoning for a new data center despite residents’ noise and pollution concerns near Roottenwood Creek, while Floyd County is setting up a public comment vote on data center rules. Air Quality & Public Health: South Fulton closed Old National Park after mosquito surveillance found West Nile virus positive results; targeted spraying and larvicide plans are underway before reopening. Wildlife Conflicts: Georgia DNR says residents can help move a bear out of a Newnan neighborhood by removing easy food sources, after repeated sightings around Stonebridge. Recycling Pilot: California begins a doorstep collection pilot for flexible plastics in 500 homes, aiming to test large-scale recycling feasibility with low contamination. Metro Atlanta School Costs: Fulton County Schools superintendent recommends a 5.85% property tax increase for 2026 to cover rising expenses and reduced revenue from senior exemptions.

Data Centers vs. Communities: Marietta City Council approved an 11-acre data center on Powers Ferry Place after a 5-2 vote, with residents warning about environmental impacts, noise, and higher utility bills. Water System Cybersecurity: Griffin is taking precautions after federal agencies linked Iranian-backed hackers to attacks on water and wastewater control systems in at least 12 states, including Georgia. Energy Efficiency Push: Georgia’s Home Energy Rebates topped $50 million, with 3,500+ households saving about $1,407 annually on average. Extreme Heat Watch: NOAA warns dangerous heat could linger through late August, with heat indexes topping 110°F in parts of the Southeast, including Georgia. Wildlife & Climate: New research highlights shark range shifting as ocean temperatures rise, with tiger sharks moving north. Local Environment Education: Keep Newnan Beautiful and partners built an outdoor STEM classroom at Newnan Crossing Elementary, adding garden beds, a weather station, and hands-on learning. Illegal Dumping Crackdown: A Villa Rica woman was arrested in a Carroll County investigation into illegal tire dumping tied to hazardous waste allegations.

Energy Rebates: Georgia’s Home Energy Rebates have topped $50 million in issued rebates, with 3,500+ households averaging about $1,407 saved annually and an average rebate of $12,104, as GEFA expands contractor training and outreach. Heat Risk: NOAA warns dangerous southern heat could linger through late August, with heat indexes over 110°F in parts of the Southeast and unusually warm nights that may limit recovery. Public Health & Mosquitoes: South Fulton closed Old National Park after routine mosquito surveillance found West Nile virus; the city says targeted spraying and larvicides are planned before reopening. Local Environment Enforcement: A third person was charged in a metro Atlanta illegal tire dumping investigation; Carroll County says a 51-year-old woman faces felony charges tied to allowing used tires to be stored and disposed of for payment. STEM Outdoors: Keep Newnan Beautiful helped build an outdoor STEM classroom at Newnan Crossing Elementary, adding raised garden beds, a weather station, and hands-on learning space. Sea Turtle Monitoring: Masonboro Island sea turtle nesting is described as an average year, with volunteers excavating a hatched nest for inventory and possible releases. Housing & Seniors: Gainesville will hold a groundbreaking Aug. 19 for Lakeside at Harrison Village, a 100-unit affordable 55+ community.

Coastal Health Watch: Warmer Atlantic waters are spreading vibrio bacteria along Georgia’s coast, raising the risk of serious illness from shellfish—health officials warn people to cook oysters thoroughly and stay alert near the waterfront. Wildlife & Invasives: Spotted lanternflies are ramping up across the Northeast and Midwest, with Georgia among the states reporting them; experts say mating season through August could mean more swarms. Hurricane Readiness: A Florida State University study tests a new National Hurricane Center graphic that adds inland watches and warnings; it helps people spot inland watch areas, but doesn’t clearly improve risk perception or protective actions. Care at Home: New pediatric research highlights that caregiver education for medically complex kids—especially families managing ostomies—can cut technology-related complications after discharge. Outdoor Recovery: A 5.5-mile Appalachian Trail section reopened after Helene damage, restoring a key hiking link toward Avery County and supporting the local outdoor economy. Data Centers & Local Power: Georgia’s data-center boom is drawing backlash, while local governments weigh moratoriums and ordinances to manage growth and impacts. Transit Safety: MARTA’s “Ride with Respect” campaign adds David Banner to push safer, more respectful behavior on trains and buses.

Birds in Peril: AJC reports Georgia is feeling the loss of North America’s birds, with habitat loss, urban growth, pollution and outdoor cats all raising risks for migratory species that funnel through the Atlanta area. Local Wildlife & Community: Keep Newnan Beautiful and partners built an outdoor STEM classroom at Newnan Crossing Elementary, aiming to spark hands-on learning and environmental stewardship. Public Safety Tech Debate: Oceana County (Flock Safety) has started a 90-day trial of license-plate recognition cameras, with no permanent contracts yet, as officials weigh investigative value against community concerns. Water Security Push: U.S. lawmakers and cybersecurity leaders launched new efforts to protect water systems from cyberattacks, including the Water Cyber Shield Act and a Water Watch Center for small utilities. Energy Efficiency Incentives: Incentive Rebate360 was recognized as a Georgia Power Commercial Energy Efficiency Program Gold contractor for delivering qualifying projects and helping businesses capture rebates. Health & Environment Link: A new federal push highlights how safer, better-managed systems—from roads to water—can reduce harm, while Georgia’s broader environmental pressures keep showing up in daily life.

Privacy & Policing: Georgia’s “DeFlock” backlash is growing as reports mount of law enforcement misusing Flock Safety camera access; this week, three Bibb County sheriff’s deputies were arrested for allegedly using the system to monitor people they knew, leading to resignations and stalking charges. Community Science: The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is getting a Georgia boost with a Martin County “Pollinator Count Party” on Aug. 21, where residents spend 15 minutes watching one blooming plant to track pollinator visits—part of a University of Georgia-backed effort as insect populations decline. Local Stormwater Funding: Spalding County approved a stormwater utility enterprise fund for unincorporated areas and Orchard Hill, setting runoff-based fees to meet EPA/EPD rainwater runoff requirements and protect water quality. Schools & Clean Air: DeKalb County is set to roll out dozens of electric school buses, funded by EPA grants, aiming to cut emissions and noise for students and neighborhoods. Climate Signals: NOAA data shows July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded across the contiguous U.S., adding to the heat-wave trend that’s intensifying extremes.

Climate & Heat Records: NOAA says July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded across the contiguous U.S., with every state in the warmest third of its historical July range—another sign that rising temperatures are intensifying extremes. Georgia Weather: A Stacker roundup lists the coldest Augustes in Georgia since 1895, including multiple ties, offering a rare look at how unusual recent conditions can be. Public Health & Chemicals: New research links phthalates (found in plastics and some personal care products) to higher blood pressure during pregnancy, while a separate CDC update highlights a multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak with hundreds of new North Carolina cases. Health Risks From Mold: A CDC-linked study spotlighted invasive mold disease as more common and deadlier than previously thought, with Atlanta-area hospital data showing high in-hospital mortality. Data Centers, Power, and Water: As AI-driven electricity demand surges, utilities and grid planners warn the power system may struggle without upgrades; meanwhile, Virginia’s new groundwater report urges tighter rules on industrial water withdrawals tied to data centers. Local Environment Action: A Georgia-focused tree-shade effort in Columbia Green’s “Beat the Heat” program targets hotter, unshaded areas to cool neighborhoods naturally. Wildlife & Disease Control: USDA APHIS plans oral rabies vaccine bait drops in parts of West Virginia and nearby states to curb spread in wildlife. Georgia Community Planning: Sandy Springs is holding public meetings on its comprehensive plan and parks update, with input due Aug. 14. Data Center Backlash in the South: A national tally shows more than 500 local bans or restrictions on new data centers, with Georgia among the states seeing major pushback.