AGP Executive Report

PFAS Accountability Fight: Indiana AG Nick Brown joined a bipartisan lawsuit targeting DuPont (EIDP), Corteva and a new Vylor entity, alleging a “shell game” to dodge cleanup costs tied to “forever chemicals” contaminating drinking water and natural resources. Data Centers & Local Impacts: Amazon Web Services says it will invest $1B+ over five years in communities hosting data centers, promising steps on electricity and water use, plus lower-emission backup generators and annual public reporting—amid widespread moratorium talk and political pushback. PFAS Spinoff Challenge: Separate reporting highlights states suing Corteva over a Vylor spinoff meant to shield “crown jewels” while leaving PFAS liabilities behind, with Indiana named in the case. Flood Health in Indianapolis: After August White River flooding, Marion County faces major public-health funding cuts, leaving residents with ongoing mold, drinking-water and tetanus-risk concerns as the city’s health budget drops sharply. Local Conservation Win: Zionsville’s Carpenter Nature Preserve earned a statewide Community Green Project of the Year award for restoring habitat on a former golf course.

PFAS Accountability Fight: Indiana AG Nick Brown joined a bipartisan lawsuit targeting DuPont (now EIDP), Corteva, and a new entity, Vylor, alleging a “shell game” to dodge PFAS “forever chemical” cleanup liabilities by shifting valuable assets. Corporate Liability in Court: A separate Reuters report says 15 states (including Indiana) sued in Indiana state court over the Corteva-to-Vylor spinoff, arguing Vylor took the “crown jewels” without PFAS responsibility. Local Environmental Win: Zionsville’s Carpenter Nature Preserve won a statewide “Community Green Project of the Year” award for restoring habitat and turning a former golf course into a 215-acre public nature space. Energy & Grid Pressure: The U.S. plans $5.25B to modernize the grid for AI data center demand, aiming to ease transmission bottlenecks across 26 states. Data Center Debate: Kentucky communities are weighing temporary data center moratoriums amid concerns about utility bills, while utilities argue new load could stabilize rates. PFAS Litigation Expands: Firefighter turnout-gear PFAS lawsuits grew as 28 public entities sued major manufacturers, seeking recovery for contamination-linked losses.

Water Quality & Permits: IDEM opened a 30-day public comment period on proposed wastewater permit changes for AES Indiana Petersburg Generating Station, including relocating discharges from Lick Creek to the White River and adding new outfalls—raising questions for Pike County residents about where the water goes and what safeguards will apply. Energy Reliability: An Indiana Statehouse committee held a six-hour hearing on the Aug. 11 outage that left parts of northern Indiana without power for up to two weeks, with lawmakers pushing for answers and prevention steps after NIPSCO restoration practices came under scrutiny. Recycling & Waste Systems: At RCon 2026, Indianapolis sustainability leaders and recycling operators discussed how to treat recycling like a material supply chain, including plans for a universal curbside recycling system in Indianapolis aimed for 2028. PFAS Exposure: A new report highlights PFAS “forever chemicals” may enter the body not just through food and water, but also through skin—citing research that includes Indiana University’s work. Wildlife & Community Science: Indiana State University’s Bat Festival drew families for conservation-focused learning, live animal sessions, and hands-on activities.

Indiana Data Center Fight: Frankfort voted 5-2 to approve DataOne’s proposed $7 billion data center, but officials say more votes and permit conditions still stand—while critics argue public support is weak and concerns about water and lighting weren’t fully addressed. Public Trust & Federal Government: A Public News Service report says a national poll finds trust in the federal government is slipping, with many Hoosiers and Americans viewing government as wasteful. Wildlife Watch: A rare Mexican long-nosed armadillo was found dead near Miami University in southwest Ohio, adding to reports of the species migrating north. Local Government & Infrastructure: Indiana marked a major milestone on the $655 million joint campus for the School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, with the final steel beam placed. Education & Community: A Q&A highlights how IU Northwest uses online outreach and incentives to boost participation in a student survey—aiming to better serve its commuter student population.

Solar and storms: A new look at “solar waste” shows how hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes can turn working panels into emergency cleanup sites, with modules needing specialized testing and recycling. Local environment action: Elkhart is launching a three-day tree blitz to plant 600 more trees before winter, aiming for 1,000 new trees this year to boost shade and stormwater control. Wildlife and nature: A guide to Indiana’s native dogwoods highlights how to tell the nine native species apart by leaf and twig traits. Food safety: Consumer Reports finds baby foods are cleaner than in 2018, but heavy metals still show up in a few products and microplastics appear in all tested samples. Public health and environment: Indiana’s regulators are probing NIPSCO’s handling of August storm outages, while St. Joseph County candidates debate data centers’ environmental impacts. Community governance: The Association of Indiana Counties conference spotlights county priorities like infrastructure, housing, cybersecurity, and long-term sustainable growth.

Indiana Mine Reclamation Win: Indiana’s Abandoned Mine Land program earned a top regional award for the South Lake Highwall Project, removing 3,550 feet of dangerous highwalls and revegetating 71 acres in Greene-Sullivan State Forest, with improved wildlife habitat cited. Wildlife Health in Indiana: Fort Wayne Zoo reports lioness Ina, now 19, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in June 2025 and is being managed through training, monthly blood draws, and weekly fluids. Avian Flu Returns to Indiana: Highly pathogenic avian influenza is back in the state; more than 24,000 birds were depopulated at a Jay County duck operation, with a control area and surveillance zone set for parts of Jay, Adams, and Wells counties. Data Centers vs. Communities: A national push is building against state moratoriums on data centers, with a coalition of major tech and unions arguing for standards—while residents raise concerns about water, electricity, and costs. Local Education & Workforce: NIPSCO and the Indiana FFA Foundation launched a $100,000 grant initiative to expand agricultural education and student leadership across northern Indiana.

Indiana Water & Sewage Monitoring: OmniSite says its GuardDog cloud software helps municipal water and wastewater utilities track alarms and trends at remote pumping stations, aiming to prevent overflows into local waterways. Public Transit & Air Quality of Life: A new study ranks Indianapolis among the worst U.S. cities for public transportation, citing low ridership and concerns about usefulness and operational safety. Flood Preparedness & Water Data: An Illinois opinion piece warns that shutting off streamgages weakens flood readiness and pollution tracking, pointing to high nitrate readings in the Spoon River. Local Environmental Liability: Richmond is weighing next steps after a federal jury found the city partially responsible for a 2023 plastics fire, with attorneys exploring appeal options. Wildlife & Health: Indiana confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial duck flock in Jay County, triggering quarantine and expanded surveillance. Chemicals in Waterways: A national analysis reports atrazine at levels harmful to aquatic wildlife across hundreds of thousands of river miles, renewing calls for stronger action. Energy Resilience: Speakers at Climate Week NYC discussed bidirectional EV charging as a potential way to support the stressed grid during extreme demand.

Data Centers & Transparency: A new coalition of AI firms, private equity and unions is pushing states—including Indiana—for data center standards in 2027, aiming to head off local moratoriums, while a separate bipartisan bill would ban government NDAs that keep data center details from the public. Public Health & Environment: The Indiana Environmental Health Association named Daviess County’s Karl Glaze Environmental Health Specialist of the Year for work on on-site septic rules, including mine-spoil ground septic protections. Local Governance & Wildlife: The Indianapolis Zoo lost AZA accreditation, citing longstanding organizational concerns, even as it says animal care and guest experience remain priorities. Jobs & Industry: Amazon plans a 585,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Greenwood with 300 jobs, and Indiana’s IEDC highlighted multiple high-wage expansion announcements. Water & Conservation: Lawmakers introduced a Great Lakes conservation bill to strengthen federal support for regional research and protection efforts. Agriculture: Pro Farmer’s crop ratings show corn and soybeans holding steady after minor changes.

Herbicide Harm: A new review says atrazine is contaminating nearly 25% of continental U.S. rivers at levels that can harm wildlife and potentially people, with impacts tied to hormone disruption. Indiana Energy & Grid: Indiana’s SPARK push to modernize the power grid is getting federal backing, aiming to boost reliability and ease congestion—an issue that matters as electricity demand rises. Local Data Center Fight: In Indiana, a community group says it’s pressing for a “fair share” deal tied to Microsoft’s data center plans, weighing whether incentives like TIF districts should come with stronger community commitments. Water & Resilience: A Beverly Shores passive-home example shows how well-insulated buildings can keep power during outages, highlighting the cost and adoption challenge for broader resilience. Wildlife Education: Northeast Indiana students placed 14th at Envirothon, competing in aquatic ecology, forestry, soils, wildlife, and nonpoint-source pollution. Public Health Research: Indiana University researchers link infant gut microbes and diet-derived metabolites to later childhood asthma risk.

Energy Reliability & Coal Policy: The U.S. Energy Department ordered Indiana’s R.M. Schahfer and F.B. Culley coal plants to stay available through Dec. 18 after a federal appeals court vacated an earlier emergency order for another coal unit, keeping the reliability-versus-cost fight front and center. Grid Resilience at Home: A Beverly Shores blackout lasting days highlighted how passive, well-insulated homes with rooftop solar and batteries can keep power running during major storms—while also underscoring the high upfront cost challenge for wider adoption. Health & Environment Research: Indiana University researchers linked infant gut microbes and diet-derived metabolites to later childhood asthma risk, pointing to a possible biochemical bridge between what babies eat, gut bacteria, and immune development. Local Public Health/Community: Franciscan Health is partnering with Cedar Lake Parks for a fall walking club with health education and light activity. Wildlife & Water: Lake Michigan salmon restoration history resurfaced with a look at past coho stocking efforts that helped reshape the lake’s ecosystem.

Energy & Climate Policy: The U.S. Energy Department ordered Indiana’s R.M. Schahfer and F.B. Culley coal plants to stay available through Dec. 18 after a court fight over emergency authority, keeping pressure on the state’s transition plans. Vehicle Rules: President Trump approved new fuel-efficiency standards that end the Biden-era EV mandate, a major shift that could reshape Indiana’s auto and charging landscape. Local Schools & Safety: Hancock County districts received more than $300,000 from Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant, but leaders say this year’s totals are flat or slightly lower than before. Opportunity Zones: Gov. Braun nominated 126 Indiana census tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation, aiming to steer private investment to distressed areas starting in 2027. Wildlife & Land: A storm forced the closure of Coffee Creek Preserve in Chesterton, underscoring how extreme weather is disrupting Indiana conservation. Water & Power Infrastructure: Indiana regulators launched a probe into NIPSCO’s handling of August storm outages, as grid reliability remains a top concern.

Energy Policy Shake-Up: President Trump says he approved new fuel economy standards that end the Biden-era EV mandate, promising lower prices and more auto jobs—an abrupt shift with major ripple effects for Indiana’s auto and energy planning. Coal Power Court Fight: The U.S. Energy Department kept Indiana’s R.M. Schahfer and F.B. Culley coal plants running longer after a federal appeals court ruling limited emergency authority, keeping reliability and cost debates front and center. Opportunity Zones: Gov. Braun nominated 126 Indiana census tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0 (2027–2036), aiming to steer private investment toward distressed communities. Power & Resilience in Practice: A report highlights how a “passive home” in northwest Indiana stayed powered during storms thanks to rooftop solar and battery storage—an on-the-ground look at climate resilience. Local Infrastructure & Grants: Indiana counties and state leaders continue pushing transportation and grid upgrades, including highway leadership recognition and ongoing work tied to disaster recovery and power reliability.

Energy & Resilience: A passive home in Beverly Shores kept power during northwest Indiana’s August storms thanks to rooftop solar and battery storage, highlighting how building design can cut emissions and improve outage resilience. Climate & Agriculture: Indiana-area farmers may face harvest delays as repeated wet weather across parts of the Corn Belt keeps soils too soggy to dry out. Severe Weather Impacts: The Coffee Creek Preserve in Chesterton remains closed after the Aug. 11 derecho toppled 200+ trees and damaged bridges, boardwalks, and paths, with cleanup costs still climbing. Grid & Power Infrastructure: Grid Growth’s proposed multi-county transmission line into Indiana is drawing landowner feedback as route details are still being shaped. Local Government & Infrastructure: Montgomery County Highway Superintendent Jake Lough received a statewide award for grant-driven road improvements, including work tied to the Nucor Road Overpass. Community & Youth: The Boys & Girls Club of Dubois County will open an after-school site in Jasper on Oct. 26, focusing on academics, healthy living, and character development. Public Records Access: Indiana’s new downtown State Archives building is now open, bringing 200 years of records under one roof with climate-controlled storage.

Power & Grid Watch: Indiana Michigan Power drew big crowds at public open houses for its Lulu-Sorenson 765-kilovolt transmission project, with comments accepted through Oct. 9 as the line would run through multiple counties and require large rights of way. Local Flood Recovery: Anderson continues flood recovery after Aug. storms, with state disaster relief grants available and the White River crest reported above the 1913 record. Wildlife & Disease Rules: Pennsylvania updated chronic wasting disease rules, tightening deer feeding and disposal practices while delaying some major oil and gas lease decisions on state game lands. Climate & Agriculture: A USDA Midwest Climate Hub director warned repeated wet weather could delay harvest for weeks to months, especially across parts of the Corn Belt. Data Centers & Water/Energy Concerns: Indiana regulators launched a probe into NIPSCO’s handling of August storm outages, while Indiana election forums and national reporting keep spotlighting how data centers strain power and local resources. State Archives Opens: Indiana’s new downtown State Archives building is now open, bringing 200 years of records under one climate-controlled roof. Community & Jobs: Amazon announced a $100M+ Greenwood manufacturing facility tied to robotics, and Indiana’s NAACP conference is set for Evansville with sessions including environmental justice.

Data Centers & Air Quality: Indiana regulators have launched a probe into NIPSCO’s handling of August storm outages, as Northwest Indiana residents press for answers after weeks without power. Transmission & Power Reliability: Residents in multiple counties are weighing in on major grid projects, including the Lulu-Sorenson 765-kilovolt line open houses and the Grid Growth West transmission debate, with concerns ranging from property impacts to environmental protections. Local Environmental Response Training: Elastec will host oil spill response training on the Wabash River in early October, including on-water exercises near New Harmony. Wildlife Conservation: Mark Twain Lake is starting forest stand improvement work to protect endangered Indiana bats, using targeted “hack and squirt” methods to restore flight and foraging corridors. Energy Policy & Climate Risk: A broader national push to modernize the aging power grid is underway, with federal funding aimed at boosting capacity and preventing outages as electricity demand rises. Community Agriculture: IU’s Campus Farm has reopened as the Daisy Garton Community Farm under the Sobremesa Foundation, continuing regenerative practices and local food donations.

Indiana Conservation & Wildlife: Mark Twain Lake crews are using “hack and squirt” forest stand improvement to reopen flight and foraging corridors for the endangered Indiana bat, aiming to help roughly 200,000 bats that summer near the lake. Community Agriculture: IU’s Campus Farm has reopened as the Daisy Garton Community Farm under the Sobremesa Foundation, reviving regenerative practices and produce donations for Bloomington partners. Energy Grid & Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy is funding nearly $2B for grid upgrades across 26 states, adding sensors and transmission-line enhancements to boost capacity and manage congestion. Local Power Infrastructure Debate: Clark County residents are pressing Grid Growth Ventures’ multi-county transmission project for answers on impacts as planning continues. Climate Outlook: A new forecast calls for above-normal temperatures across much of the eastern U.S., with wetter conditions expected for Indiana and nearby states into early October. Energy Policy in Indiana: Gov. Braun announced Indiana will become an NRC “Agreement State,” aiming for faster nuclear permitting and lower regulatory fees. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Indiana-focused readers may note the broader trend: states are suing over Trump-era offshore wind lease buyout cancellations, including a case tied to $1.5B in payments. Public Engagement: Pleasant Lake Montessori students helped tag and track monarch butterflies, with data headed to Monarch Watch.