AGP Executive Report

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.

Solar Energy & Courts: A federal judge set aside the U.S. Forest Service’s approval of a logging and prescribed burning plan in Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest, vacating key environmental reviews tied to potential impacts on Lake Monroe. Solar Energy & Federal Funding: In the Solar for All fight, a recent court order could force about $7B in frozen funds to flow to communities facing rising electricity bills, after plaintiffs challenged EPA’s decision to cut off reimbursements. Water Quality & Community Action: Volunteers joined the annual Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River Watershed in Indiana and Ohio, focusing on removing trash that can harm wildlife along the river system. Wildlife & Conservation Recognition: Indiana conservationists Laurie Marker and Marlice van Vuuren were nominated for the 2027 Indianapolis Prize for work protecting wildlife and reducing human-wildlife conflict. Local Infrastructure & Growth: CHA acquired Indiana-based Midwestern Engineers, expanding water, wastewater, stormwater, and survey expertise across the state. Solar Development Watch: Montgomery County commissioners will consider a rezoning request for a large southern Indiana solar project after an unfavorable advisory vote. Fall Outdoors: Leaf-peeping season is approaching, with early color expected in northern Indiana as soon as Sept. 28 and peak moving south through mid-October.

Veteran Housing Deal: One Community will acquire Southern Indiana Veteran Living and Rehabilitation Facility (SIVLARF), keeping care uninterrupted for current residents while scaling its Crawford County tiny-home model toward more transitional and permanent units. Disaster Response: Indiana officials say their in-house debris and disaster recovery approach is becoming a “textbook” example for state-led natural disaster management under a federal push for more local responsibility. School Politics & DEI: Indiana’s school board elections are turning more partisan as candidates can list party affiliation, while DEI-focused fights increasingly target specific classrooms and materials. Data Centers & Community Tensions: A St. Joseph County debate over data centers has spilled into arrests and reported threats, showing how local planning disputes can escalate fast. Plant Protein Shift: Maple Leaf Foods will consolidate plant protein production into one Indianapolis facility, winding down two U.S. sites over the next 12–18 months. Energy/Infrastructure: Purdue demonstrated remote, automated control of a nuclear reactor using a digital twin concept, pointing to far-off monitoring for next-gen systems. Wildlife & Hunting: Wisconsin’s DNR reported record bear license numbers amid ongoing efforts to manage black bear populations.

Climate & Health: A new report warns the “super” El Niño could drive up to 451,000 extra heat-related deaths worldwide over the next six months, with the hardest hit expected in less affluent regions. Federal Policy & Water: A judge ruled the Trump administration unlawfully ended $7 billion in Clean Energy grants under the Solar for All program, a direct hit to projects meant to cut bills and emissions in disadvantaged communities. Indiana Energy & Infrastructure: The U.S. Department of Defense says Indiana’s first advanced nuclear microreactor will be installed at Naval Weapons Station Crane by Sept. 2028, aiming to provide grid-independent power for critical operations. Local Environment & Wildlife: The Hoosier National Forest expanded seasonal cave closures to protect vulnerable bat species during swarming, hibernation, and spring emergence. Public Lands Weekend: Indiana DNR is gearing up for National Public Lands Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 26, including free fishing opportunities and family events. Wetlands Protections: A proposal to strip federal wetlands protections would put most U.S. wetlands at risk, raising alarms for drinking-water quality, wildlife habitat, and flood protection. Community & Accountability: We Make Indiana is pressing St. Joseph County leaders for a “Fair Share Agreement” tied to data centers, arguing for accountability and meaningful local investment.

Nuclear Power: The U.S. Department of Defense says it will install Indiana’s first advanced nuclear micro modular reactor at Naval Weapons Station Crane, aiming for operation no later than September 2028, promising grid-independent power for critical missions. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: New York Attorney General Letitia James and other states sued the Trump administration over agreements that cancel offshore wind leases and redirect about $1.4 billion toward LNG and other conventional energy, arguing the deals misuse federal funds. Local Data Center Tensions: A St. Joseph County faith-based group, “We Make Indiana,” is calling for a fair share agreement for data centers, citing concerns about impacts on land, water, and electricity, plus how TIF districts distribute benefits. PFAS Research: Indiana’s neighbors are moving on PFAS in agriculture, with Michigan announcing $1.9 million in grants to study PFAS impacts on farms and livestock. Childcare Crunch: Indiana communities are scrambling as childcare voucher support has shrunk; thousands remain on waitlists and providers are cutting back, even as short-term state funding helps only a portion of families. Waste & Recycling: Kosciusko County’s solid waste district reported results from September tire week at KC Recycling, including 124 people bringing 764 tires. Health Innovation: A report highlights fish-skin grafts made from cod for treating severe skin trauma, including potential benefits for Indiana patients with hard-to-heal wounds. Indiana Education: Indianapolis students at H.L. Harshman Middle School use a peer mediation program to defuse conflicts early, aiming to reduce fights and suspensions.

EPA Rollback Watch: The U.S. EPA is proposing to rescind major greenhouse-gas rules for fossil-fuel power plants, a move Indiana advocates warn could weaken public health and climate protections. Energy & Reliability: Separate reporting highlights Indiana’s energy push, including plans for a microreactor at Naval Weapons Station Crane in southern Indiana. Weather & Farms: A sharp Midwest rain-and-south-drought pattern is raising concerns for crop stalk and root health, with Indiana among areas seeing heavy totals. PFAS & Health Justice: A new Environmental Scholars Program application spotlights environmental health and justice, including PFAS in drinking water and its health impacts on underserved communities. Local Water Safety: Bloomington Utilities lifted a precautionary boil-water advisory for Monroe County. School Safety Funding: Madison County schools received over $475,000 through Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant program. Data Centers, Local Concerns: A Northwest Indiana Forum explainer addresses myths vs. facts about an Amazon Web Services data center near NIPSCO’s Schahfer plant, focusing on water, costs, traffic, and emergency services. Wildlife/Preparedness: A discussion piece argues lockdown drills should be clearly distinguished from active shooter simulations to protect children’s emotional well-being. Community Resilience: North St. Louis tornado survivors plan a Washington, D.C. funding push to address ongoing disaster recovery gaps.

School Safety Funding: Madison County schools received $475,000+ from Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant Program, with multiple districts and schools in the county getting matching funds for security upgrades. County Budgeting: Hamilton County Council wrapped hearings on its proposed 2027 budget, focusing on staffing needs tied to new courts and a Public Safety Center opening next year. Data Center Air Pollution: Google is seeking another Fort Wayne air-permit change to add 228 emergency diesel generators, raising questions about particulate limits and wetland mitigation tied to the project’s expansion. Power Reliability vs. Retirements: The U.S. DOE renewed emergency orders keeping NIPSCO’s R.M. Schahfer plant running through Dec. 18, extending a dispute over costs and reliability. Flooded Harvest Outlook: Heavy “ring of fire” rain patterns are stalling parts of the Corn Belt, with northeast Indiana among areas seeing record-wet September conditions. Energy Policy Debate: Indiana lawmakers and advocates continue clashing over “all-of-the-above” energy plans, coal retirements, and federal pollution rollbacks. Local Infrastructure: Lane and ramp closures are scheduled along I-65 in Lake County for bridge and concrete repairs, with overnight detours affecting drivers.

NOAA Outlook: Indiana is leaning warmer-than-normal for fall (Oct–Dec), with precipitation more mixed and a weaker tilt toward below-average totals in parts of the Great Lakes region as El Niño strengthens. Outdoor Access & Conservation: Indiana DNR is encouraging Hoosiers to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 26, highlighting free fishing opportunities and youth deer hunting milestones while noting license revenue supports habitat and public access. Data Center Transparency Fight: A new report finds some Indiana communities signed nondisclosure agreements tied to AI data center deals, including Morgan County and New Carlisle, raising concerns about secrecy and local control. Local Water Safety: Bloomington Utilities issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Monroe County. Flood Aftercare: A counseling center is offering free support after mid-August floods in Indiana. Wildlife Health Watch: After white-nose syndrome decimated Indiana bats, the Indiana bat is showing a hopeful increase. Severe Weather Tools: New technology aims to improve flash flood warnings using satellite data. Energy & Grid Pressure: Experts warn federal energy regulatory actions could affect Northwest Indiana, as grid reliability and demand pressures grow.

Indiana Water Safety: Bloomington Utilities issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Monroe County after storm-related power outages lowered production at the Monroe Water Treatment Plant and turbidity rose above the state threshold. Federal Climate Policy: A report highlights EPA moves to repeal major greenhouse gas requirements for power plants, raising concerns about public health and the federal government’s ability to address climate pollution. Energy & Grid Watch: Coverage also points to federal energy regulatory actions that could affect Northwest Indiana, as well as broader grid reliability debates tied to power generation and data-center growth. Wildlife & Conservation: Indiana-linked conservation news includes a hopeful update on the Indiana bat after recovery from white-nose syndrome, plus a nomination for the Indianapolis Prize for a cheetah conservationist working on human-wildlife conflict. Local Environment Notes: Indiana Dunes visitors and park-related updates round out the week, alongside ongoing community responses to flooding impacts and storm debris.

Water Safety: Bloomington Utilities issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Monroe County after turbidity exceeded drinking-water standards, tied to storm-related power outages that lowered production at the Monroe Water Treatment Plant. Energy & Grid: Indiana Michigan Power unveiled plans for a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line that could run through multiple northeast Indiana counties, with open houses and route options still under study. Data Centers & Local Control: Michigan City’s proposed data center moratorium was tabled by the council, frustrating residents and environmental groups worried it could “open the floodgates” to development. Workforce & Health Care: Gov. Mike Braun announced Power Up Indiana, employer-led training to move workers into higher-paying health care roles, including nursing and imaging pathways. Wildlife Conservation: The Indianapolis Prize nominated Namibia conservationist Dr. Laurie Marker for decades of cheetah protection and human-wildlife conflict reduction. Flood Recovery Support: CTS Counseling Center will offer up to five free counseling sessions for Indiana residents affected by historic central Indiana floods.

Workforce & Health Care: Gov. Mike Braun’s Power Up Indiana backs employer-led training to move workers into higher-paying health care roles, with Deaconess Health System expanding credential pathways for nursing, imaging, lab tech and more. Flood Recovery Support: A Carmel-area counseling center at Christian Theological Seminary will offer up to five free sessions for Hoosiers impacted by historic central Indiana floods, including telehealth options. Energy Infrastructure: Indiana Michigan Power unveiled plans for a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line study that could run through Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben and Whitley counties, with routes to be set by year’s end. Data Center Pressure: Michigan City’s council tabled a proposed data center moratorium, delaying permit and tax-abatement pauses and drawing frustration from residents and environmental groups. Wildlife & Conservation: After white-nose syndrome devastated bat populations, Indiana bat numbers show slow recovery in 2026, with local research and DNR involvement credited for progress. Public Lands & Accessibility: Indiana Dunes National Park welcomed a legally blind visitor and her guide dog, highlighting access and outdoor inclusion. Solar Trend: A new report finds Trump-voting states—including Indiana—are leading solar buildout despite earlier GOP opposition.

Flood & Mental Health: A Carmel-area counseling center is offering up to five free sessions statewide for people and families still reeling from Indiana’s historic central Indiana floods, with in-person or telehealth options. Energy & Pollution Costs: A Hoosier Environmental Council-linked op-ed argues Indiana’s push to keep coal and expand gas to serve AI data centers could mean more coal ash, more flood-prone contamination risk, and higher long-term bills for residents. Solar Boom in Red States: A new report says states that voted for Trump are driving most of the nation’s solar growth, with Indiana named among the leading builders. Hoosier National Forest Halt: A federal judge stopped a logging, burning, and herbicide plan in the Hoosier National Forest tied to drinking-water concerns, ordering the Forest Service to pause major work. Bats Recovery Update: After years of white-nose syndrome devastation, Indiana bats show signs of slow recovery in 2026, thanks to long-term research and response efforts. Disaster Funding: Indiana’s Bond Bank launched the RAPID program to speed money for public infrastructure repairs after storms and floods. Local Cleanup Scale: Northwest Indiana officials report massive derecho debris piles and multi-million-dollar cleanup needs.

Hoosier Water Protection: A federal judge halted a long-running logging, burning and herbicide plan in the Hoosier National Forest that threatened Bloomington’s drinking-water supply, ordering the Forest Service to stop clearcutting and related work across the affected land. Storm Recovery: Northwest Indiana communities are still digging out after the Aug. 11 derecho, with Portage alone estimating 500,000 cubic yards of tree debris and Porter County projecting millions in cleanup and repair costs. Disaster Funding: The Indiana Bond Bank launched the RAPID program to speed money to communities for emergency infrastructure repairs, debris removal, and related costs after storms and floods. Flood-Alert Tech: A new machine-learning system using satellite data is set to improve flash flood warnings, aiming to get alerts out sooner for places like Indiana that have seen fast, dangerous flooding. State Forests & Wildlife: Indiana DNR will host an open house Oct. 1 on managing Morgan-Monroe and nearby state forests, with a guided hike and Q&A on long-term forest health and wildlife habitat. Local Safety Planning: Bloomington is starting a Safe Routes to School planning process with surveys and public meetings to improve school transportation safety and accessibility. Energy & Air Quality: An Exxon Mobil refinery in Joliet remains offline after flood-related problems, raising the risk of continued Midwest fuel price pressure.

Hoosier National Forest Fight: A federal judge ordered the U.S. Forest Service to stop clearcutting, logging, burning, and herbicide use in part of the Hoosier National Forest under the Houston South project, after years of lawsuits tied to concerns about impacts on Lake Monroe drinking water. Coal Ash Oversight: The EPA proposed letting Indiana’s environmental agency run what would be the nation’s largest coal-ash permitting program, but critics warn a new Indiana law could limit how protective state rules can be if federal standards get weakened. Water & Dams: A separate dispute near Cedar Lake is shifting from unpermitted dams to who can withdraw water from streams feeding the lake, after an Oklahoma board approved a dam safety settlement and opened the door to stream-permit challenges. Storm Aftermath in Gary: More than a month after a historic NIPSCO outage tied to an Aug. 11 derecho, families in Gary say they’re still waiting for full relief and worry about future failures. Local Privacy & Surveillance: Bloomington City Council advanced zoning changes for housing affordability and introduced an ordinance to ban automated license plate readers and related surveillance data sharing. Grid & Data Centers: A report warns the PJM electricity grid could fall short of demand multiple times per decade as data centers expand, raising the risk of prolonged reliability problems.