AGP Executive Report

Water Crisis Response: Connecticut lawmakers are weighing help for Puerto Rico’s worsening water shortage, including a possible call for Connecticut National Guard support as the island’s aging aqueduct system continues to fail. Environmental Health & Cleanup: New reporting renews concerns about toxic munitions left behind on Vieques, linking decades of Navy training to higher cancer risk and ongoing cleanup challenges. Marine Pollution: A new study warns seaweed sargassum is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines in unusually large amounts, smothering shorelines, harming marine life, and disrupting tourism. Climate & Weather Watch: NOAA forecasts a potential “super El Niño,” with heightened odds of extreme winter weather across parts of the U.S., adding pressure to prepare for more volatile conditions. Local Policy & Permits: Puerto Rico’s broader environmental permitting debate echoes elsewhere as regulators face demands for more details before approving controversial recycling-related projects. Energy & Wildlife Politics: Trump’s renewed attacks on wind turbines keep the spotlight on wildlife impacts and the future of renewable power.

Water Crisis: Puerto Rico declared a water emergency as drought worsens, raising pressure on supplies and planning for communities. Marine Pollution: A new surge of sargassum is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with scientists warning “none of this is normal” as seaweed suffocates shorelines, harms marine life, and disrupts tourism. Local Permitting Watch: In West Virginia, the Kanawha County Commission asked for more details as the state DEP weighs a “Clean Seas” advanced recycling permit tied to a plastics pyrolysis plan near schools and neighborhoods. Climate Litigation: An amicus brief filed in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County argues federal law doesn’t preempt state claims tied to climate-related harms under the Clean Air Act. Clean Energy Tech: Spain’s biogas sector gets a boost as digestate pasteurisation systems help meet animal by-products rules while supporting circular, low-carbon fertilizer use. Tropical Outlook: The NHC is tracking multiple tropical waves in the Caribbean, with heavy rain risks for parts of Florida even as cyclone formation is not expected right away.

Water Crisis in Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico declared a water emergency as drought worsens across nearly 60% of the island, with severe drought at 24.8% and moderate drought at 36%, prompting islandwide conservation steps and National Guard support to protect drinking-water access. Coastal Marine Threat: A new report says seaweed “sargassum” is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with about 27 million metric tons recorded in July; scientists say this year’s bloom is unusual because it’s growing locally in the region, not just arriving by currents, suffocating shorelines and harming marine life. Coastal Development Fight in Cabo Rojo: Puerto Rico authorized the $2 billion Esencia luxury project on 2,000 acres in Cabo Rojo, including hotels, residences, golf courses, and plans for wetland and mangrove restoration—while environmentalists warn the approval lacked enough public scrutiny and could strain resources and wildlife. Regional Climate Outlook: Caribbean forecasts warn of intense heat, uneven rainfall, and flooding risk through the wet season, tied to El Niño strengthening and global warming.

Water Crisis in Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico declared a water emergency as drought worsens across nearly 60% of the island, with severe drought at 24.8% and moderate drought at 36%, triggering islandwide conservation steps and National Guard support to protect drinking-water access. Coastal Development Backlash: Puerto Rico authorized the $2 billion Esencia luxury project in Cabo Rojo, spanning 2,000 acres and including hotels, residences, golf courses, and new infrastructure; environmental groups say approvals moved without enough public scrutiny and could strain resources and wildlife. Marine Pollution Alarm: A new report says massive sargassum blooms are smothering Caribbean and Gulf coastlines—about 27 million metric tons recorded in July—raising concerns for tourism, marine life, and shoreline health. Local Air Concerns Elsewhere: In West Virginia, residents urged regulators to pause an “advanced recycling” plastics pyrolysis permit near schools and homes, citing emissions worries. Regional Climate Outlook: Caribbean forecasts warn of intense heat, uneven rainfall, and flooding risk later in the wet season as global warming and El Niño patterns interact.

Water Emergency: Puerto Rico declared a water emergency as drought worsens across about 60% of the island, with severe drought at 24.8% and moderate drought at 36%, prompting islandwide conservation orders and National Guard support to secure drinking water. Coastal Development Fight: The government authorized the $2 billion Esencia luxury project in Cabo Rojo, approved over environmentalists’ objections that it could strain resources and threaten wildlife; the plan includes hotels, residences, golf courses, and claims of wetland, dune, and mangrove restoration. Marine Life Under Pressure: A new surge of sargassum is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with scientists reporting about 27 million metric tons in July and warning that this year’s growth in the region is “not normal,” likely tied to warming waters and changing winds and rainfall.

Water Crisis: Puerto Rico declared a water emergency as drought worsens across nearly 60% of the island, with severe drought at 24.8% and moderate drought at 36%, triggering islandwide conservation steps and National Guard support to secure drinking water. Coastal Wildlife & Tourism Threat: A new surge of sargassum is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with scientists reporting about 27–30 million metric tons in July; researchers say this year’s growth in the region is “not normal,” and the rotting seaweed can suffocate marine life and harm tourism. Local Development vs. Environment: Puerto Rico authorized the $2 billion Esencia luxury project in Cabo Rojo, covering 2,000 acres and drawing backlash from environmentalists who warn it could strain resources and threaten wildlife despite claims of conservation areas and wetland restoration. Climate Outlook: Caribbean climatologists warn of intense heat, uneven rainfall, and flooding risk through the wet season’s end, tied to El Niño strengthening and global warming. Regional Support for Drought: Connecticut lawmakers discussed possible help for Puerto Rico’s water shortage, including sharing resources and potentially sending National Guard troops. Marine Safety Context: A newly found wreck of a 1952 Pan Am flight off Puerto Rico is being linked to improvements in passenger safety briefings and flotation equipment.

Coastal Development Clash: Puerto Rico authorized the $2 billion Esencia luxury project in Cabo Rojo, covering 2,000 acres with hotels, residences, golf courses, and plans to restore wetlands and rehabilitate dunes and mangroves—while environmentalists warn it was approved with too little public scrutiny and could strain resources and wildlife. Marine Health Alert: A new report says nearly 30 million tons of sargassum were recorded in July across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, and scientists say this year’s bloom is growing locally in the region—smothering shorelines, cutting marine life, and disrupting tourism. Water Crisis Support: Connecticut lawmakers discussed options to help Puerto Rico’s worsening water shortages, including potentially sending National Guard troops to share resources as the island battles leaks and aging aqueduct failures. Connectivity Resilience: Claro outlined a $35 million plan to add another AMX-1 shore landing in Puerto Rico, aiming to reduce reliance on a single entry point and improve service continuity during disruptions. Heat & Flood Watch: A Caribbean climate outlook warns of intense heat, uneven hurricane activity, and flooding risk from heavy rainfall later in the wet season, with warming tied to broader climate change.

Water Crisis Response: Connecticut lawmakers say they’re weighing help for Puerto Rico’s severe water shortage, including possible National Guard support, as residents deal with outages tied to an aging aqueduct system. Marine Heat & Habitat Stress: A new ESA 2026 finding says fire is overtaking drought as the top driver of western forest loss, underscoring how climate pressures are reshaping ecosystems. Sargassum Surge: Scientists report record sargassum—about 27 million metric tons—blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coasts, with this year’s bloom growing locally in places like the Caribbean rather than just arriving by currents, threatening marine life and tourism. Coastal Safety & History: Searchers located the wreck of Pan Am’s 1952 Clipper Endeavor off Puerto Rico using autonomous sonar, a discovery tied to modern flight safety briefings and flotation rules. Wildlife Crime: Critically endangered sawfish are still being killed for rostral teeth turned into cockfighting spurs, adding pressure to an already collapsing species. Local Culture & Preservation: The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture in Chicago received top U.S. accreditation, boosting opportunities to preserve and share Puerto Rican heritage.

Insect Decline Watch: Maine residents are noticing fewer monarchs and other insects after years of global insect drops, raising alarms about pollination and food-chain impacts. Puerto Rico Community & Education: Dorado inaugurated a new Teresa Préstamo Bermúdez Head Start and Early Head Start center, a $6.3M investment meant to support young children and families. Local Water & Land Use: A new Taco Bell proposal in St. Johns County is moving through an environmental resource permit process, highlighting how development rules shape flooding risk and water quality. Energy Resilience in the Caribbean: After Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Virgin Islands is linking home solar and batteries into a virtual power plant to stabilize the grid faster. Climate & Disaster Outlook: Forecasts suggest August in Florida could be quieter than usual due to El Niño-driven wind shear, while drought conditions shift across the U.S. Wildlife Safety: Hidden hazards from harmful algal blooms are a growing summer concern, with guidance on staying safe.

Local Infrastructure & Resilience: Dorado inaugurated a new Teresa Préstamo Bermúdez Head Start and Early Head Start center, a $6.3M investment meant to serve hundreds of children with modern, safe facilities. Municipal Finance: San Juan is set to debut a standalone municipal bond market sale, planning $122.2M in bonds backed by local property taxes—an issue that can shape how quickly environmental and public works projects get funded. Water & Land Use: Taco Bell is seeking an environmental resource permit preapplication for a new St. Johns County site near wetlands and flood-sensitive areas, highlighting how development approvals can affect water quality and flooding risk. Energy After Disaster: The U.S. Virgin Islands is expanding a “virtual power plant” approach that links rooftop solar and home batteries to stabilize the grid after Irma, reducing the need for new generation or power lines. Wildlife Protection: The Dominican Republic’s crackdown on illegal exotic animal ownership is sending more confiscated species to the country’s only zoo, with seizures rising sharply and flamingos among the most targeted. Climate Risk Context: A new look at hurricane history notes Florida has seen 23 hurricanes in August over the past century, even as forecasts suggest a quieter month ahead.

Virtual Power Plant After Irma: The U.S. Virgin Islands is rolling out VIBES 2.0, linking rooftop solar and home batteries into a shared “virtual power plant” that can respond in sub-seconds to help stabilize the grid after long outages. AI for Water Security: Prairie View A&M’s Dr. Ali Fares judged the White House’s inaugural Presidential AI Challenge, where thousands of students—including from Puerto Rico—built AI projects touching environmental sustainability and water security. Puerto Rico Community Grants: Banesco USA awarded grants to five nonprofits across Puerto Rico, backing education, affordable housing, health, entrepreneurship, and services for vulnerable groups. Single-Use Plastics Rules Moving: Puerto Rico’s working committee under Law 47-2025 is finalizing recommendations to implement Law 51 on single-use plastics, with fines delayed to extend an education phase. Wildlife Seizures Pressure Zoos: The Dominican Republic’s lone zoo is becoming a holding site for confiscated exotic animals as seizures surge, including flamingos taken from habitats and sold to hotels. PFAS Cleanup Delays: Sen. Tammy Baldwin pressed the Defense Department over PFAS investigation and cleanup timeline delays affecting dozens of sites, raising risks to drinking water.

Single-Use Plastics Rollout: Puerto Rico’s Law 51 on single-use plastics is still in its implementation phase, with a working committee finalizing recommendations under Law 47-2025—fines were delayed to keep an education period going, and businesses reported losses during the transition. PFAS Accountability: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin pressed the Defense Department over PFAS remediation delays that could stretch timelines by up to 20 years across 178 sites, including Wisconsin bases—raising concerns for drinking-water safety. Water & Ecosystem Health: Harmful algal blooms are being flagged as a growing summer risk, with Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands among places where blooms have been reported, threatening people and pets. Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown: The Dominican Republic’s lone zoo is taking in confiscated exotic animals as seizures surge—officials say thousands of species have been seized this year, straining the facility. Puerto Rico Learning & Sustainability: A new experiential learning collaboration is sending students to Puerto Rico to study community, energy, and sustainable development firsthand. Regional Climate/Heat Adaptation: A Los Angeles neighborhood test found solar-reflective pavement can cut surface temperatures and ease heatwave conditions.

Single-Use Plastics Policy: Puerto Rico is moving toward final implementation of its single-use plastics law, with a working committee under DACO still finalizing recommendations after an extension request—meaning the next enforcement steps could be coming soon. PFAS Accountability: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin pressed the Defense Department over PFAS remediation delays that could stretch timelines by up to 20 years at dozens of sites, raising fresh concerns about drinking-water safety. Water & Health Risks: Officials are warning about harmful algal blooms, including reports that these toxins can show up in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—an urgent reminder for beachgoers and pet owners. Local Energy & Resilience: A Puerto Rico-based experiential learning collaboration is using the island’s energy crisis and sustainable development challenges to teach students through on-the-ground study. Coastal & Climate Tech: Experts say AI drought forecasting depends on better access to weather and water-use data, linking early warning systems to real-world climate resilience planning. Puerto Rico Tourism: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are pushing a multi-destination tourism push in Spain, aiming to grow regional travel while tying it to sustainability goals.

Single-Use Plastics Enforcement: Puerto Rico’s Law 47-2025 working committee is finalizing recommendations to implement the territory’s single-use plastics rules, with DACO coordinating input from DRNA, business groups, and recycling industry reps. Harmful Algal Blooms: Officials warn that harmful algal blooms (including in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) can show up as scum or foam and may be hard to spot, posing health risks to people and pets. Water & Drought Forecasting: Virginia Tech experts say AI can help predict drought earlier, but it only works if satellite and water-use data collection keeps expanding. Puerto Rico Tourism & Sustainability: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are pushing a multi-destination tourism strategy in Spain, aiming to boost air connectivity and joint initiatives tied to sustainability. Local Energy Resilience: UPR’s coastal research institute received $1.39M to expand erosion planning, strengthening coastal risk management. Media Accountability: Nielsen plans to stop audience measurement services in Puerto Rico by end of 2026, raising concerns about how the island’s media market will be tracked going into 2027.

Tourism & Sustainability: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are pushing a new multi-destination strategy in Spain, with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company promoting the alliance through Discover Puerto Rico and campaigns aimed at boosting air connectivity and “sustainable” growth in the regional tourism sector. Coastal & Water Quality: Beach.com’s Global Beach Index 2026 crowned Trunk Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands as the world’s best beach, using NASA satellite data plus water clarity and large-scale review analysis—highlighting how protected areas and clear waters can drive both conservation value and visitor demand. Climate & Disaster Preparedness: A new documentary and panel event in Florida, “Our Gulf, Our Future: Voices from Cedar Key,” will focus on hurricane recovery and resilience in an environmentally sensitive coastal community, tying storm rebuilding to health and safety planning. Energy & Environment: Puerto Rico’s drought monitoring is stepping up as reservoir levels keep declining, underscoring ongoing water-stress pressures on the island. Local Energy: Mayagüez is investing $2.6 million in a solar energy project for the Central American Stadium, adding to Puerto Rico’s push for cleaner power.

Puerto Rico Media: Nielsen says it will stop its audience-ratings measurement services on the island at the end of 2026, raising fears that Puerto Rico could enter 2027 without a shared, independent “audience currency” for advertisers and media buyers. Energy & Resilience (Mayagüez): The municipality of Mayagüez starts a $2.595 million solar-plus-battery project at the José Antonio Figueroa Freyre Central American Stadium to cut electricity use and keep operations running during outages. Clean Energy Finance: Enhanced Capital released its 2025 Community Impact Report, highlighting environmental sustainability investments, including clean energy capacity installed and deployment of private capital across underserved communities. Procurement Modernization (ASG/PR): Glass announced an AI-powered procurement catalog built with Puerto Rico’s ASG to standardize how government purchases are classified, aiming to improve oversight and public spending accuracy. Wildlife & Climate Science: The Ecological Society of America’s annual meeting opened in Salt Lake City amid warnings about the Great Salt Lake’s tipping-point conditions, spotlighting how climate-driven water loss is reshaping ecosystems. Disaster Preparedness: A new preparedness guide urges Puerto Rico residents and families to build go-kits and stay-at-home kits and plan for up to two weeks after major weather disruptions.