AGP Executive Report

Clean Water: Missouri DNR awarded Fulton $5.8 million for wastewater plant upgrades aimed at improving nutrient removal; separate awards will support upgrades in Springfield and Fulton. Recycling: Republic Services has broken ground on a Bridgeton facility designed to sort up to 45 tons of recyclables an hour and serve about 3 million people in the St. Louis region. Extreme Heat: September was Missouri’s warmest on record, averaging 77°F — 8.4°F above normal — with parts of the state also facing dry conditions. Wildlife Health: As fall migration begins, conservation officials warn people to avoid sick or dead birds; Missouri has reported positive bird-flu cases, but no major outbreak. Development Pressures: A proposed 120-megawatt data center anchoring St. Louis’ $3.1 billion Armory Innovation District is drawing public backlash and legal challenges. Pollution: Dioxin has been found again at the Romaine Creek site in the St. Louis area.

Data Center Debate: St. Louis’s proposed $3.1 billion Armory Innovation District would be anchored by a 120-megawatt data center, drawing public backlash and legal challenges as more facilities are planned across the region. Record Heat: Missouri had its hottest September on record, averaging 77°F — 8.4°F above normal. Southern areas were especially dry, while parts of the north saw heavy rain. Clean Water Funding: The state awarded $12.57 million for wastewater upgrades in Springfield and Fulton to reduce sewer overflows, improve treatment and remove nutrients. Paddlefish Rules: The Conservation Department is seeking public comment through Nov. 14 on proposals to clarify who counts as the taker of a snagged fish and require paddlefish to be gutted before leaving Missouri. Pollution Concerns: Dioxin was found again at the Romaine Creek site, while St. Louis-area residents protested Ameren’s plan to delay closing its Labadie coal plant until 2042. Wildlife Watch: Conservation officials are urging people to report sick or dead waterfowl as fall migration raises bird flu concerns.

Wildlife Rules: Missouri is seeking public comment through Nov. 14 on proposed paddlefish rules aimed at curbing overharvesting and illegal sales. Changes would require anglers to remove internal organs before transporting paddlefish out of state and clarify who gets credit for snagged fish. Bird Flu Watch: Conservation officials report some positive cases in wild birds but no major outbreak. They’re asking people to report sick or dead waterfowl and avoid handling them as fall migration begins. St. Louis Recycling: Republic Services has broken ground on a Bridgeton center expected to open in 2028. It will process up to 45 tons of recyclables an hour and serve about 3 million people. Public Lands: A proposed repeal of the federal roadless rule could affect Missouri’s Mark Twain National Forest, where volunteers maintain recreational trails. Clean Water: Missouri awarded Benton $4.38 million for wastewater system upgrades, including repairs to reduce groundwater entering the sewer system. Climate and Energy: September was Missouri’s hottest on record. Meanwhile, protesters are urging Ameren to retire its Labadie coal units sooner than the revised 2042 schedule.

Wildlife Watch: Missouri has confirmed some bird-flu cases in wild birds, but no major outbreak. The Conservation Department urges people to avoid sick or dead birds and report waterfowl, raptors and other large birds showing symptoms. Pollinator Conservation: An American bumblebee, a species of conservation concern, was spotted in a Springfield native-plant garden. The garden’s Yard Ethic practices aim to support wildlife and reduce stormwater runoff. Mine Cleanup: State teams will assess abandoned coal mines in St. Clair County for safety hazards and damage to land and water, then work with landowners on repairs. Projects could take up to a year. Recycling: Republic Services has broken ground on a Bridgeton center expected to open in 2028, with capacity to process up to 45 tons of recyclables an hour. Heat and Drought: Missouri had its warmest September on record, and persistent heat and rain shortages worsened drought in parts of the southwest. Recent rain has brought some relief to the driest Mid-Missouri counties. Paddlefish Rules: MDC is taking public comments through Nov. 14 on proposed changes to paddlefish transport and catch limits.

Data Center Pushback: Franklin County residents and groups are suing over rules and rezoning approvals for two proposed data centers near Villa Ridge and Pacific, citing concerns including farmland loss. Clean Water: Missouri awarded Springfield $6.77 million for sewer upgrades to reduce overflows and Fulton $5.8 million to improve wastewater treatment and nutrient removal. Power and Pollution: Demonstrators are challenging Ameren Missouri’s plans for nine new gas plants and keeping Labadie coal units running through 2042, as the utility cites rising demand from data centers. Climate and Weather: September was Missouri’s hottest on record. Rain has brought some relief to dry Mid-Missouri counties, while forecasters warn of possible damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

Climate and Drought: Missouri recorded its hottest September, averaging 77°F—8.4 degrees above normal. Southern areas were also unusually dry, with some receiving less than an inch of rain; this week’s showers may ease drought but are not expected to end it. Pollution and Land Use: Dioxin was found again at the Romaine Creek site, while St. Louis County is reviewing new environmental and traffic details for a plan to fill the inactive Ruprecht Quarry, which could draw 100 to 150 trucks a day. A Nevada tire-business fire also kept crews monitoring burning tire piles; air testing found no public threat. Data Center Scrutiny: A company plans to deploy a 592-GPU AI cluster in Missouri by early 2027 as data center proposals draw local concern. The environmental questions surrounding the buildout remain in focus.

Toxic Cleanup: The EPA has reported another dioxin detection at the Romaine Creek Superfund site near Fenton. Cleanup targets were met across most of the site, but residual contamination remains beneath a cover. Data Center Pressure: A Monroe County forum highlighted concerns about large facilities’ demands on water, farmland and electricity, and their effects on local communities. Extreme Weather: Missouri recorded its warmest September on record, while forecasters warned of heavy rain and flood risks in parts of the state. Pollution Watch: Air tests near the Nevada tire fire found no public health threat, and DNR reported no concern about runoff as crews work to extinguish the remaining tires. Community Conservation: State officials honored four Missourians and organizations for their work caring for community trees.

Flood Risk: Heavy storms could bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to parts of Missouri, prompting flood watches through Wednesday morning and warnings for low-lying areas. Tire Fire: Missouri environmental officials found no identified public health threat from smoke at the Nevada tire fire and no concerns about runoff; crews are still working to extinguish the remaining tires. Record Heat: Missouri’s September average reached 77°F, 8.4 degrees above normal and the warmest on record. Southern areas were especially hot and dry, raising concerns for agriculture and water supplies. Data Center Debate: A Monroe County meeting examined potential effects of large data centers on water, farmland, electricity costs, public health and local revenues. Community Trees: MDC and the Missouri Community Forestry Council honored four Missourians and organizations for their work caring for community trees.

Extreme Weather: Missouri’s September was the warmest on record, averaging 77°F—8.4 degrees above normal—with drought across parts of the south and heavy rain in the north. More summerlike heat is also testing October records before cooler, wetter weather arrives. Power and Pollution: Residents near the Labadie coal plant say they see and smell pollution; the Trump administration has permanently scrapped tighter mercury limits for the facility, one of the country’s biggest mercury emitters. Meanwhile, a $1.5 billion solar project is underway in Missouri as demonstrators protest Ameren’s plan to use coal and gas to power data centers. Conservation: Missouri voters will weigh a measure to set aside state tax revenue for nature conservation.

Energy and Air Quality: More than 50 people protested Ameren Missouri’s plan to add nine natural-gas plants and extend two coal plants, including Labadie’s operation through 2042, as the utility responds to rising demand from data centers. The plan has alarmed nearby residents and clean-energy advocates. Extreme Heat: Missouri is facing summerlike highs near 90°F, 15 to 20 degrees above normal, before cooler weather arrives later this week. September was already the state’s warmest on record, averaging 77°F—8.4 degrees above normal. Pollution Rules: Residents near the Labadie plant also face a federal rollback: the EPA has made permanent its repeal of tighter mercury limits that would have applied to the plant. Road Research: Missouri S&T researchers are developing a way to detect asphalt deterioration before potholes form, potentially helping communities target repairs and extend road life.

Nevada Tire Fire: Crews are monitoring burning piles of shredded tires at David’s Tire while coordinating with Missouri’s DNR and the EPA. Firefighters contained the immediate threat to a nearby building, but let the remaining tires burn under watch to conserve water; the cause is still unknown. Ameren’s Energy Plan: More than 50 people rallied in St. Louis against Ameren Missouri’s plans for nine new natural-gas plants and keeping two Labadie coal units running until 2042, six years beyond the earlier retirement target. Wildlife Migration: Researchers tracking monarchs from Winnipeg report tagged butterflies moving through Missouri on their southbound journey to Mexico. Mississippi River Health: Hot summer weather, low water and reduced oxygen have contributed to large die-offs of invasive Asian carp along the river, raising concern about warming’s effects on aquatic life.

Tire Fire: Crews in Nevada, Missouri, continued monitoring burning shredded tires at David’s Tire and coordinating with the state Department of Natural Resources and EPA. Officials said heat and water concerns led them to let the remaining piles burn under watch. Ameren’s Energy Plan: More than 50 demonstrators in St. Louis protested Ameren Missouri’s plan to add natural-gas plants and keep Labadie coal units running until 2042, six years longer than previously planned. The utility cites rising demand, including from data centers; advocates want more renewables and battery storage. River Wildlife: Hot weather, low water and reduced oxygen have contributed to thousands of dead invasive Asian carp along the Mississippi River, researchers said. Monarch Migration: A tagged monarch’s journey south took it through Missouri, offering a glimpse of the route and hazards facing migrating butterflies. Solar Power: Work has begun on a $1.5 billion solar project in Missouri, a major addition to the state’s clean-energy development.

River Heat: Thousands of invasive Asian carp have died along the Mississippi, with researchers pointing to hot water, low oxygen and falling water levels. The die-off highlights how extreme heat can disrupt river ecosystems. Wildlife Watch: A tagged monarch migrating from Ontario to Mexico has been tracked through Missouri, offering a glimpse of the long journey and the importance of nectar-rich stops. Public Health: Two ducks in a semi-domesticated flock in Ballwin tested positive for bird flu. St. Louis County health officials urge residents to avoid the birds, keep pets away and report sick or dead wildlife. Clean Energy: Work has started on a $1.5 billion solar project in Missouri, a major addition to the state’s renewable-energy development. Conservation at the Ballot Box: Missouri voters are weighing a proposal to dedicate state tax revenue to nature conservation.

Wildlife: A tagged monarch on a 4,000-kilometer journey from Ontario to Mexico has flown through Missouri, highlighting the long migration route that depends on suitable habitat and nectar plants. Bird Flu: Two ducks in a semi-domesticated flock in Ballwin tested positive for avian influenza. St. Louis County health officials urge residents to keep away, avoid feeding the birds and report sick or dead birds. Clean Energy: Construction is underway on the $1.5-billion, 650-megawatt Swan Energy Center in Bates County, a solar project planned for former strip-mining land. Developers say they will maintain native grasses and flowering plants to support pollinators. Climate: September 2026 was the hottest on record in the U.S. and the second hottest globally, underscoring a warming trend with consequences for Missouri’s communities and ecosystems. Conservation Funding: Missouri voters will consider Question 6, which would set aside state tax revenue for nature conservation.

Missouri Solar: Construction has begun on the $1.5 billion Swan Energy Center, a 650-megawatt solar project on a former strip mine in Bates County. Developers say native grasses and flowering plants will support pollinators and improve soil health. Wildlife Health: Two ducks at a Ballwin apartment complex tested positive for bird flu. St. Louis County health officials urge residents to avoid the flock, keep pets away and report sick or dead birds. Climate: September was the planet’s second-hottest on record and the hottest September ever recorded in the U.S., adding to concerns about continued warming. Conservation Vote: Missouri voters will decide in November whether to dedicate state tax revenue to nature conservation. Data Center Debate: Residents in Arkansas and Missouri are joining opposition to a proposed data center in Oregon County.

Record Heat: September was the second-hottest on record worldwide and the hottest September in the U.S., according to NOAA—an alarming backdrop for Missouri communities facing hotter conditions. Missouri Agriculture: Bowling Green rancher Christopher Hudson says high costs make expanding his herd a risky bet as U.S. cattle numbers hit a 75-year low. Separately, USDA announced $1.8 billion in conservation payments, including support for nearly 1 million new acres of grassland enrolled to remain in grazing use. Wildlife & Roads: Missouri recorded more than 2,800 deer-related crashes last year, with six deaths. MoDOT says October and November bring peak deer movement and urges drivers to watch especially at dawn and dusk. Land & Energy: Proposed data centers and a major transmission line are raising concerns in Missouri over farmland and local environmental impacts, including in Oregon County.