AGP Executive Report

Potomac sewage fight heats up: D.C. Water’s CEO defended maintenance on the deteriorating Potomac Interceptor after a Jan. 19 spill of more than 240 million gallons, telling Congress the failure wasn’t ignored infrastructure—while costs and repair timelines remain unclear. Ohio hospital violence sentencing: At OSU Wexner Medical Center, Asiakare Minor was sentenced to three years for attacking a nurse in Nov. 2025, renewing calls for stronger workplace safety. Data centers vs. communities: Lawmakers and regulators are scrambling over how data centers should be handled nationally as power demand and local opposition grow; Ohio’s own incentives and expansion plans keep the debate alive. Recycling credibility under fire: A report using trackers says Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” cold cups never made it to recycling facilities, with some ending up in Ohio landfills. East Liverpool roads get a boost: Plans were unveiled for a nearly $37M Route 39 project, including sidewalks, lighting, and a roundabout. Carroll County power plant hearing: Residents testified for and against a proposed 1,300-megawatt natural gas plant as the Ohio Power Siting Board moves toward an evidentiary hearing.

Workplace Safety: A man was sentenced to 3 years in prison for attacking a nurse at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, after surveillance showed he pulled the nurse by her collar while holding a newborn. Rare Wildlife: Birders are getting a rare treat: a glossy ibis—usually coastal—was spotted in the Ohio River Valley near the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Mental Health Access: Lima’s “Out Loud and Unafraid” event is set to keep mental health conversations going with food, music, speakers, and resources. Firefighter Protection: Belmont County is buying respirator fit testing equipment so all county fire departments and the Sheriff’s Office can meet annual safety requirements. Housing & Climate: Dayton approved $3.3M to weatherize and repair 400+ low-income homes through a “one-stop shop” application network. Data Center Backlash: Ohio’s data center tax break is costing far more than expected, while local opposition and policy fights continue.

Data Center Tax Fallout: Ohio’s biggest sales-tax break for data centers is costing far more than promised—$555M in 2024 and $1.5687B in 2025, plus another $166.8M in local tax losses—raising fresh questions about who benefits as Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon expand. Energy Policy Fight: Lawmakers are also weighing a bill to redefine “clean and reliable” power in a way that favors gas, coal, and nuclear while effectively sidelining solar and wind, driven by looming electricity demand from dozens of data centers. Local Water Wins: Youngstown’s Board of Control approved up to $3.5M from the Ohio EPA to help remove three low-head dams on the Mahoning River, with the full project capped at about $6.125M. Wildlife on the Move: Summit Metro Parks posted a warning about a coyote den near Firestone Metro Park, urging people to keep distance from the area.

Clean Air Enforcement: Kroger agreed to pay a $2.5M penalty and spend $100M over two years to retrofit or replace 600 refrigeration units after DOJ action over ozone-depleting refrigerant leaks. Local Nature & Safety: At Guilford Lake, rescuers helped free two deer stuck in mud as water levels and storms complicated the response. Battery Fire Risk: News 15 spotlights how lithium-ion batteries are behind nearly 200,000 structure fires nationwide, with Ohio incidents tied to everyday devices. Solar Debate in Toledo: Residents pushed back on a proposed Old South End solar field, citing wildlife, riverfront views, and limited community input. Wildlife Guidance: Summit Metro Parks posted notices after coyotes moved near Firestone Metro Park, urging people to stay away from the den area. Community Support: Washington County launched the “No Wrong Door” initiative to route residents to the right help without starting over. Food/Plastic Claims Under Scrutiny: A report challenges Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” cold cups, saying tracked cups never reached recycling facilities.

Wildlife Safety: A black bear nearly got hit by a truck in Youngstown before running into the woods, the latest sign that bears are reestablishing in Ohio—ODNR says there’s “consistent evidence” they’re here to stay, and urges residents to secure trash, feeders, and pet food. Public Health & Nature: Ohio’s fawn season is peaking—wildlife groups say most lone fawns aren’t abandoned because mothers often return at night, so people should leave them alone unless there are clear signs of distress. Plastic Reality Check: Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” cold cups are under fire after a Beyond Plastics investigation using trackers found none of 53 cups ended up at recycling facilities. Local Growth Plan: Salem released a new five-year economic development roadmap, touting big downtown vacancy drops and faster permit timelines. Water Quality Innovation: UToledo researchers unveiled “set it and forget it” buoys that slowly release algae-killing chemicals to help prevent harmful algal blooms. Ohio Infrastructure Pressure: News 5 Cleveland reports growing local pushback against large data centers, prompting state lawmakers to study cumulative statewide impacts.

Ohio River Basin restoration push: The Ohio Newsroom is teaming with NPR to spotlight a long-running fight for dedicated federal funding for Ohio River Basin restoration—advocates say the basin has been overlooked compared with the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. Local water & environment: Rocky River City Council advanced a roughly $1.02M Spencer Creek rehabilitation plan to stabilize streambanks, cut erosion, remove invasives, and improve habitat near Lake Erie. Public health & climate: A new drought warning says more than half the U.S. is in drought, while Ohio’s Lyme risk keeps climbing as tick activity rises with warmer conditions. Ohio policy pressure: Toledo is weighing a six-month moratorium on new gas-station permits to study neighborhood impacts. Clean air enforcement: Kroger agreed to a $2.5M penalty and $100M in repairs/replacements tied to refrigerant leaks under the Clean Air Act. Data center politics (national ripple): Across the country, backlash to AI data centers is driving new local scrutiny and moratorium talk.

Ohio Data Centers: Ohio lawmakers are starting a bipartisan data center committee to study impacts, as backlash to AI data centers keeps building nationwide over power demand, water use, and local strain. Public Health: Ohio’s tick season is ramping up, with health officials flagging the three most common Ohio ticks—American dog tick, blacklegged tick, and lone star tick—plus rising Lyme risk as temperatures climb. Environment & Safety: An Akron plane crash that killed two people will require DNA testing for identification, while the NTSB investigates the cause. Weather Watch: A broad severe-weather threat is hitting the Midwest and Ohio Valley, with damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain possible. Local Business: A new Columbus fastener operation—Ohio Fasteners, a division of Ohio Power Tool—has launched to keep contractor supply moving. Agriculture: Kentucky’s spring turkey harvest hit a record high, driven by strong conditions and more opportunities for hunters.

Data Center Push in Ohio: Ohio lawmakers are creating a bipartisan Joint Data Center Committee to study impacts and start meeting May 27, as the state already has 232 data centers and the debate keeps heating up over power, environment, and local control. Water Woes: St. Charles is facing a 500,000-gallon-per-day water deficiency even after a new well project, and officials are now hunting for more shallow groundwater capacity. Public Health Leadership: Lorain County Public Health named Justin Rechichar as its new health commissioner as Mark Adams prepares to retire. Local Environment Education: Jefferson County fifth graders took part in Fernwood Outdoor Days, learning outdoors about litter, recycling, fishing, pollinators, and conservation careers. Health Alerts: In Tidioute, residents remain under a boil-water advisory as repairs continue, with restrictions potentially lasting into early July. Other Notable Ohio Items: Toledo Express Airport won $1.425M for tower HVAC upgrades; and Ohio reported 253 Lyme cases so far this year, with tick activity still rising.

Lyme on the rise: Ohio is reporting 253 Lyme disease cases so far in 2026, with eastern counties hit hardest, and Ohio State research says about half of ticks tested carry the bacteria. Tick-related ER visits are also climbing statewide and across the Midwest as tick season ramps up. Waste capacity pressure: NEWMOA warns the Northeast could lose significant disposal capacity within five years, with landfills nearing closure and more waste increasingly pushed to exports—Ohio is named as a key destination. Cleanup for housing: Coshocton Port Authority won $1M from the Ohio Department of Development to remediate the former Ansell-Edmont site, targeting asbestos, soil and groundwater impacts so it can become housing. Local fallout from fire: Nearly two years after the Village Court North Apartments fire in Bowling Green displaced residents, former tenants say buildings remain fenced off and they’re still waiting for answers. Data centers and power strain: A week of coverage keeps circling the same issue—data centers driving electricity demand and grid stress—while Ohio lawmakers move toward new data-center oversight.

Data Center Backlash in Ohio: Residents are packing planning meetings and pushing for local limits as Ohio’s data-center boom accelerates—one report notes Ohio has 232 data centers (with 137 in central Ohio), and communities from Mount Orab to Sunbury are raising alarms about health, water, and strain on local resources. State Cleanup Dollars: Ohio just awarded $61 million in brownfield remediation grants across 75 counties, including projects in West Central Ohio aimed at tearing down and cleaning contaminated sites for redevelopment. Waterfront Reality Check: Lake Vesuvius remains a dry bed in Wayne National Forest, but officials say restoration work is underway after a dam gate malfunction, with plans to restock fish in 2027. Community Nature Wins: Salem’s library hosted an “Amphibians of Ohio” program, and Mahoning County’s Master Gardeners promoted a Junior Master Gardener youth program. Wildlife Tragedy: A humpback whale tied to a high-profile rescue effort off Denmark was later found dead.

Data Centers in Ohio: Ohio residents are packing planning meetings and pushing back as the state’s data-center boom accelerates—USA Today reports 232 centers statewide, with 137 in central Ohio, and communities like Mount Orab and Sunbury raising concerns about health, environmental impacts, and whether promised jobs and tax benefits will materialize. Local Governance: The backlash is already driving temporary bans and new scrutiny, while lawmakers debate how to regulate the industry, including tax exemptions and environmental effects. Community & Environment: In Toledo, The HER Center opened to support girls with mentorship and wellness. Nature & Weather: NOAA says the northern lights could be visible in multiple states this weekend, with best viewing generally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Stewardship: Nearly 100 students joined a youth environmental day in Wayne National Forest, testing water and soil and cleaning trails.

Ohio THC Crackdown: Ohio’s new restrictions on intoxicating hemp THC products are hitting businesses hard—owners say they invested in equipment, testing, packaging, and distribution before the rules changed, warning of layoffs and closures as the hemp/cannabis economy reels. Voting Rights & Redistricting: Thousands marched in Selma and Montgomery to fight southern Republican redistricting efforts targeting Black Democratic members of Congress, with organizers framing it as a direct threat to voting access. Data Centers vs. Communities: The week’s drumbeat continues: residents and lawmakers are pushing back on data-center growth over impacts to power, water, and local control, while Ohio lawmakers form committees and some towns consider moratoriums. Local Nature & Stewardship: In Ohio, youth environmental workdays and public wildlife rehab open houses are drawing people outdoors—small-scale action that contrasts sharply with the big infrastructure fights.

Data Center Backlash (Ohio + beyond): A new wave of anger is building around hyperscale data centers—especially over water use, power demand, and local control—with fresh reporting tying the boom to strained aquifers and grid stress, and pointing to a growing push for moratoriums and tougher rules as communities demand transparency. Local Stewardship: Ohio students got hands-on in the Wayne National Forest through a youth environmental initiative, testing water and soil and scrubbing graffiti—funded by the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. State Cleanup Dollars: Ohio announced $61M in brownfield grants across dozens of projects, including Akron’s Quaker Square cleanup to unlock mixed-use redevelopment. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA is flagging a G1 aurora chance this weekend, with Ohio potentially in the mix if activity ramps up. Veterans Health IT: VA deputy secretary Paul Lawrence says the Federal Electronic Health Record update is on schedule, with southern Ohio facilities slated to go live in June.

Data Center Push in Ohio: Ohio lawmakers just formed a new joint House-Senate committee to study data centers as residents and local governments keep pushing back over impacts like power demand and transparency. Cleanup Dollars: Ohio announced $61M in Brownfield Remediation grants, including $1M for Akron’s Quaker Square cleanup to unlock mixed-use redevelopment. Local Transit Grant: Greene County approved a partnership with Carnegie Mellon to pursue an Appalachian Regional Commission grant for on-demand transportation, with minivans and drivers planned. Weather Watch: NOAA says El Niño is likely to develop soon, with Ohio’s impacts still uncertain. Aviation Safety: The NTSB is investigating a fatal Akron plane crash that struck a home, killing the pilot and flight instructor. Community & Environment: Nearly 100 students took part in a Wayne National Forest stewardship day in Lawrence County, testing water and soil and removing graffiti.

Data Center Fight Escalates: Yellow Springs is weighing a year-long moratorium on new large data centers, joining a growing Ohio list of towns hitting pause over grid strain, energy demand, and environmental worries. Grid Pressure, On Paper: A new look at PJM planning forecasts shows Ohio load growth repeatedly attributed to data centers—an argument lawmakers can’t ignore as summer and winter peaks are projected to rise faster than the broader system. Brownfields Funding: Ohio awarded nearly $3M for brownfield assessment and remediation, including grants tied to cleaning up former sites in Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties. Juvenile Justice Shift: Ohio broke ground on smaller juvenile justice facilities in Grafton, replacing a large Cuyahoga Hills site with four downsized centers aimed at safer, more treatment-focused housing. Local Nature Wins: Oak Harbor unveiled a new downtown bird-song mural tied to the Black Swamp Bird Observatory.

Trade & Diplomacy: Trump wrapped a two-day China trip, touting “fantastic trade deals” and saying Xi aligned with the U.S. on Iran—plus talk of U.S.-China cooperation on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Ohio Environment & Enforcement: Ohio AG Dave Yost announced a second round of “Shine a Light on Dumpers” grants—another $1M to help communities clean up illegal dumping and deter repeat offenders. Local Water & Flooding: A Winona, Ohio memorial park flooding dispute is pushing residents to demand action on a clogged creek. Energy & Ballot Confusion: Ohio residents may have accidentally voted to ban renewable projects in Richland County, with exit-survey analysis suggesting ballot wording may have flipped the outcome. Wildlife & Community: DeWine recognized 2026 Purple Star schools, and Ohio celebrated Bird Ohio Day at Magee Marsh—highlighting the state’s birding draw and conservation focus. Data Centers Watch: An AI-energy conference in Washington County put data centers and community impacts on the agenda.