AGP Executive Report

Drinking Water Funding: EPA approved a $272 million WIFIA loan for Columbia’s drinking-water expansion, including a new raw-water intake, transmission main, and treatment plant upgrades to boost capacity and reliability. Energy Resilience: Guntersville unveiled a 261kWh battery storage system and EV charging ports at the Senior Center, designed to keep the site powered during outages and strengthen emergency shelter readiness. Local Governance & Pollution Concerns: Memphis Mayor Paul Young defended data center benefits ahead of a moratorium vote, citing tax revenue and community funding while opponents warned about air pollution, noise, water impacts, and rising energy prices. Wildlife & Safety: TWRA reminded hunters that fall archery-only deer and fall turkey seasons open Sept. 26, with rules varying by wildlife management areas. Fire Safety: Tennessee State Fire Marshal shared Halloween tips, warning that candles and electrical/inflatable decorations can spark home fires if used incorrectly. Weather Watch: Forecasters are tracking a Gulf tropical system that could bring heavy rain to Middle Tennessee this week.

Water Quality Watch: Follow-up testing at Lake Watauga in Centennial Park found cyanobacteria toxin levels low and below health advisory thresholds, but Metro Parks is keeping advisory signs up and will do more tests as conditions improve. Wildlife Health: USDA will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits across western North Carolina and surrounding states, including parts of east Tennessee, using aircraft and ground teams over about three weeks in October. Climate & Waste: New food scrap pickup services are expanding nationwide, collecting items like coffee grounds and eggshells to cut landfill methane and turn organics into compost. Forest Protection: The U.S. Forest Service roadless rule repeal is up for public comment, and advocates warn it could endanger North Carolina old-growth forests near the Tennessee border. Local Water Infrastructure: EPA approved a $272M WIFIA loan for Tennessee drinking water expansion, aiming to improve and grow water systems. Community Resilience: East Tennessee’s fall color outlook is improving as recent rain and cooler weather ease drought stress, with peak color expected first at higher elevations.

Fire Safety & Batteries: Tennessee’s Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance are urging residents to follow Fire Prevention Week guidance (Oct. 4–10) on safe charging of lithium-ion devices like phones, laptops, e-bikes, and scooters—warning damaged or improper charging can overheat and spark fires. Wildlife Crime: Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers say they found hundreds of illegally poached ginseng roots, with some saved for replanting, and warn harvesting can harm habitats and wildlife. Recycling & Waste: Neyland Stadium’s used cooking oil is being collected and recycled into renewable fuels like biodiesel, keeping fryer grease out of landfills. Community Hazard Disposal: Rutherford County is hosting a free household hazardous waste drop-off (Oct. 10) for items like cleaners, fuels, pesticides, aerosols, and sharps. Weather Watch: Middle Tennessee is set for cooler, drier mornings with mostly sunny days, while Gulf moisture could bring a wetter weekend pattern next week. Local Water/Storm Risk: A sewage overflow at South Chickamauga Creek has closed the Greenway downstream.

Wildlife Crime: Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers say they found hundreds of illegally poached wild ginseng roots, including 167 and 521 roots on suspects; officials plan to replant the undamaged roots and warn harvesting can bring fines up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison. Public Health: More frozen berries are being recalled over possible E. coli contamination, expanding earlier recalls that already hit Great Value and Trader Joe’s berry products. Local Waste & Safety: Murfreesboro is hosting a free Household Hazardous Waste collection day Oct. 10 (8 a.m.-noon) for items like cleaners, fuels, pesticides, aerosols, sharps, and certain bulbs—at the Solid Waste Department on Florence Road. Weather: Middle Tennessee is in for cooler mornings in the 40s-50s with mostly sunny, warmer afternoons through midweek, plus a small rain chance later in the weekend. Community & Environment Education: UT College of Veterinary Medicine continues hands-on wildlife care through partnerships like its “fix-a-bear workshop” work with rescued black bear cubs. Transportation Impacts: Overnight detours are planned on I-24 Westbound in Marshall County Oct. 5, 9 p.m.-6 a.m., due to work crews delayed by weather.

Weather & Flood Risk: Middle Tennessee is finally seeing rain again, with scattered showers tonight and a wetter Sunday across the Tennessee Valley and higher elevations; Monday trends drier. Cold Snap Watch: October is expected to run mild overall, but forecasters flag a “notable cold shot” that could bring frost/freeze potential. Wildlife & Youth Conservation: TWRA is taking submissions for a K-12 fish art contest tied to Tennessee native fish, with a Feb. 28 deadline and a special bass-fishing award. Household Hazardous Waste: Bradley County’s free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is set for Nov. 7, accepting chemicals, paint, pesticides, electronics, and more that can’t go in regular recycling. Local Water Concern: A sewage spill was reported at South Chickamauga Creek and the Greenway was closed downstream. Energy & Industry: The NRC greenlit Tennessee reactor construction, adding to the state’s nuclear momentum.

Nuclear Energy in Tennessee: The NRC approved TVA’s construction permit for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor in Tennessee, marking a major step for advanced nuclear licensing in the U.S. Grid & Clean Power: A separate report highlights how a desert battery storage site in Arizona helped push electricity back to the grid faster than expected, underscoring the growing role of large-scale storage. Wildlife & Public Land: Country star Riley Green shared that his Utah elk hunt helped “keep” his freezer full, while noting elk hunting is tied to regulated wildlife management and conservation funding. Local Environment & Safety: Tennessee’s Fire Marshal’s Office is urging safer charging habits during Fire Prevention Week, warning lithium-ion battery damage or improper charging can spark fast-moving home fires. Water Quality Concern: A sewage spill at South Chickamauga Creek and Greenway led to closures downstream, raising fresh questions about wastewater controls. Health Facilities Oversight: TN Heart says it will appeal a certificate-of-need denial for an outpatient cardiac surgery center, a reminder that state rules can shape local healthcare access.

Sewage Spill Response: Chattanooga’s Wastewater Department is responding to an active overflow impacting South Chickamauga Creek along the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, closing downstream recreation near the pedestrian bridge while crews work and state officials monitor; repairs are set to begin Oct. 5. Conservation Funding: USDA’s NRCS is accepting Tennessee applications for conservation programs for FY 2027, including ACEP, CSP and EQIP, with a Nov. 20, 2026 deadline. Wildlife & Youth Conservation: TWRA is inviting K-12 students to submit original art of Tennessee native fish for a national Fish Art Contest, with a Feb. 28, 2027 deadline, plus a Bill Dance Signature Lakes specialty award. Habitat Fundraising: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation’s 2026 Wildlife Conservation Raffle is open through Nov. 8, aiming to help secure 2,000+ acres in Campbell County and support wildlife disease surveillance. Community Cleanup: Volunteers are sought for a Nolichucky River cleanup Oct. 10 (9:30 a.m.–2 p.m.), with boat help needed to move tires and debris downstream for proper disposal. Emergency Alerts Upgrade: Tennessee Emergency Management Authority received $10.6 million to modernize statewide warning systems, adding relay capability, fiber-linked EAS, thousands of alert receivers and NOAA weather radios, plus rural upgrades in Washington County.

Sewage & Public Health: Chattanooga crews responded to a sanitary sewer overflow impacting South Chickamauga Creek, closing the Greenway downstream of the pedestrian bridge and restricting access to the Tennessee River until repairs are complete. Local Energy Infrastructure: Southern Natural Gas/Kinder Morgan outlined the Southeast Connector Project, a proposed ~150-mile natural gas transmission pipeline across Middle Tennessee, with potential impacts in Trousdale County and a timeline targeting FERC pre-filing in late 2026 and service in late 2030. Emergency Preparedness: Tennessee Emergency Management Authority received $10.6 million in federal funding to modernize statewide warning systems, including more NOAA weather radios, alert receivers, and upgrades to sirens and emergency alert networks. Data Centers & Environmental Justice: Memphis City Council is set to consider a data center moratorium ordinance, with advocates pushing for protections for marginalized communities while the city studies impacts and drafts long-term rules. Wildlife & Water Quality: A Tennessee Riverkeeper report highlighted trash removal from Decatur waterways, underscoring ongoing cleanup needs for local waterways. Weather & Fall Conditions: East Tennessee is seeing cooler nights and improved fall color prospects after recent rain helped ease heat and drought stress.

Death Penalty Fallout: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee suspended executions after Christa Pike survived a botched lethal injection attempt and remains in critical condition, renewing national scrutiny of “cruel and unusual punishment” claims and the state’s execution procedures. Legal Accountability: A judge says repeated failed executions violate the Constitution, while reporting links Tennessee’s execution problems to staffing and oversight issues. Wildlife & Outdoors: TWRA officially named Bill Dance Lake at the Herb Parsons Wildlife Refuge in Fayette County, celebrating Tennessee outdoor heritage. Community Nature Events: Delta Rivers Nature Quilters kick off a new series on “Wet Lands and Wildlife,” and Keep Knoxville Beautiful’s Orchids Beautification Awards return in November. Local Environment Watch: Knox County’s health department reported seven “Perfect 100” restaurant inspections in September. Weather: Mid-South forecasts call for rain and storms moving in, with cooler, scattered showers over the weekend.

Aviation & Safety: A FlyDubai pilot stabbing incident on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight is back in the spotlight after passengers and crew wrestled control and the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, prompting Israel to scramble warplanes over possible hijacking. Extreme Heat & Drought: Nashville logged its driest September on record with only a trace of rain, while record-high heat worsened drought across Middle Tennessee. Emergency Alerts: Tennessee is getting $10.6M in federal help to modernize warning systems, including outdoor siren upgrades in Rutherford County and statewide resilience for severe weather, wildfires, and hazardous spills. Wildlife & Habitat: Foothills Land Conservancy is hosting a free “Bio Blitz” at Jarvis Park to document plants, insects, and fungi with iNaturalist and support long-term conservation data. Local Environment Policy: Tennessee lawmakers are asking Gov. Bill Lee to temporarily allow farmers and loggers to use cheaper tax-exempt dyed diesel on public roads during harvest. Community Vet Care: The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society partnered with UT Martin’s veterinary program to provide low-cost medical services and hands-on training for shelter animals. Cold Case: Lincoln County officials seek tips in a 20-year-old murder of Hosea Prince, found stabbed and beaten while mowing his yard.

Extreme Heat Watch: Memphis is on track for the warmest September on record, with multiple 100+ degree days, a heat dome driving records, and rainfall running at just 21% of normal. Food Waste & Sustainability: Clean Memphis is hosting Reharvest Memphis Oct. 1, including Project Green Fork restaurant chefs using imperfect produce and surplus ingredients in a competition aimed at cutting waste. Wildlife & Human Conflict: Gatlinburg is issuing bear-feeding citations as conflicts rise, while TWRA reports 60 bears killed in Sevier County this year amid “human-bear” clashes. Nuclear Energy Moves: The NRC issued the first U.S. permit for a GE Hitachi BWRX-300 SMR at TVA’s Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, and Oklahoma officials are exploring a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. Clean Energy Jobs: GM is investing $1B to expand its Spring Hill EV battery and production operations, including new lithium battery cell work. Pollution & Safety: Consumer Reports testing finds most Tennessee-area baby foods have lower heavy-metal levels than earlier years, but phthalates and microplastics still show up.

Wildlife & Public Safety: Tennessee wildlife officials say 60 bears were humanely killed in Sevier County this year (61 statewide) amid rising “human-bear” conflicts, including bears breaking into vehicles and buildings; Gatlinburg police also issued citations and warnings under a new bear-feeding law that took effect July 1. Energy & Environment: TVA says it’s taking action to power the Valley’s future, including rate updates, grid expansion, and a new data-center rate aimed at ensuring heavy users cover costs. Climate & Health Storytelling: A Nat Geo-backed project spotlights extreme heat’s effects during pregnancy, tying climate impacts to everyday health. Research & Clean Tech: ORNL opened a new Translational Research Capability in Oak Ridge to accelerate batteries, quantum computing, and AI, including an ultra-dry “dry room” for advanced battery work. Infrastructure Review: A SPACECOM construction project at Redstone Arsenal is moving through environmental review, with parts of the site in the Tennessee River floodplain. Local Weather Watch: West Tennessee fire departments warn outdoor burning is risky with dry conditions.

Public Health: Nashville’s Metro Public Health Department is offering free flu shots downtown ahead of the Oct. 6 Metro Council meeting, no appointment needed for anyone 6 months and older. Air & Energy Policy: New federal fuel economy standards could lower miles-per-gallon targets and raise pollution and gas costs, according to environmental attorneys. Water & Recreation: Low water levels are damaging Gibson County Lake boat ramps; TWRA is filling holes and urging safer launching practices. Extreme Weather: Memphis forecast points to hot, humid days with rain and storms later in the week. Local Environment & Wildlife: A Tennessee River Gorge feature highlights the region’s biodiversity and outdoor recreation, while a separate report notes rising bear-human conflicts as bears seek food. Clean Tech & Jobs: GM says it will mass-produce new prismatic LMR EV battery cells at its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant. Food Safety: FDA data shows a sharp rise in food recalls nationwide, with Tennessee included in dozens this year. Nuclear in Tennessee: The NRC issued TVA a construction permit for a small modular reactor using the BWRX-300 design. Community & Learning: ETSU will host its third Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Summit Oct. 7.

Water Quality Alert: Nashville’s Centennial Park pond is under a potential toxic algae warning, with TDEC testing after a harmful algal bloom was spotted—visitors are urged to avoid contact with the water and keep pets away. Wildlife & Public Safety: TWRA says 60 bears have been humanely killed in Sevier County this year due to “significant human-bear” conflicts, as officials point to safety risks from bears entering cars and buildings. Wildfire Preparedness: Federal and state crews will conduct prescribed burns on the Oak Ridge Reservation Tuesday, with smoke visible in Anderson, Roane and Knox counties. Climate & Infrastructure: TVA will close the road over Wilson Dam for six months starting Oct. 5 for spillway gate chain replacement and maintenance on generating units. Community Resilience: Volunteer Collective opens registration for a West Tennessee winter coat and warmth drive. Youth Conservation: Keep Greene Beautiful’s 5th Grade Conservation Camp at Hardin Park brought hands-on lessons on recycling, water conservation, native wildlife and more.

Data Centers & Community Impact: A Nashville-area town hall put a spotlight on how the AI data center boom is reshaping Tennessee communities, with researchers pointing to unmet promises around pollution and water, and citing Memphis as a cautionary tale. Local Governance & Transparency: In Georgia, the Southern Environmental Law Center sued over Open Meetings/Open Records claims tied to a proposed OpenAI data center campus—an example of how secrecy fights are spreading alongside new builds. Water & Pollution Oversight: DeKalb County residents and SRM Materials are clashing over a proposed Smithville Quarry expansion and a revised NPDES permit that would increase permitted acreage and discharge into Driver Branch. Wildlife & Outdoor Access: TWRA highlighted Gov. Bill Lee’s National Hunting and Fishing Day proclamation as fall archery seasons approach. Public Lands & Habitat Management: DOE Oak Ridge Reservation scheduled controlled burns across multiple areas to support native habitat and reduce wildfire risk. Recycling & Fire Safety: Memphis firefighters battled a downtown semi-trailer lot fire at a former recycling center. Boating & Low Water: Gibson County Lake boat ramp changes are underway as low water levels create launch hazards. Heat & Weather: A warming trend is set to push late-September temperatures back into the 80s to near 90s in Middle Tennessee.

Clean Energy Politics: A new report says the clean energy industry is fighting back after years of GOP rollbacks, with a Tennessee-linked target in a solar-backed super PAC pushback against far-right lawmakers. AI Power & Water Pressure: UN experts warn AI data centers are expanding faster than power systems can handle, driving grid strain and community backlash over electricity and cooling water needs. Fossil Fuel Risk for Investors: A pension-wealth critique argues gas-fired data center buildouts contradict climate pledges and lock in carbon pollution. Local Recycling: Nashville’s tire recycling event helped keep used tires out of yards and ditches, offering a free, convenient disposal option for residents. Wildlife Science (Tennessee): A study identified a giant crayfish record-holder from Tennessee, underscoring the value of museum collections for tracking freshwater biodiversity. Weather & Storm Impacts: A nor’easter brought destructive winds and flooding across the Northeast, with forecasts noting possible rain disruptions for major weekend events.