AGP Executive Report

Heat & Ozone Watch: Rhode Island DEM issued a statewide air quality alert for Thursday, June 11, warning ground-level ozone will reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, with fine particles also elevated—urging people with asthma and other lung issues to cut outdoor exertion and plan activities earlier in the day. Offshore Wind, Cable Path Clarity: The CRMC approved SouthCoast Wind’s key permit for the Sakonnet River cable route and related work in Portsmouth and Mount Hope Bay, a step that keeps Rhode Island in the project’s path even as federal delays and uncertainty linger. Beaches Get More Monitoring Money: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed helped secure a $210,000 EPA grant to expand Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay water sampling after 2025 beach closures tied to enterococci bacteria. Coastal Erosion Help for Jamestown: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded Jamestown $115,000 for shoreline embankment improvements at Potter Cove, plus low-interest septic loans for homeowners. Food Access for Seniors: RIDOH launched the 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, offering $50 cards for eligible seniors to buy fruits and veggies at Rhode Island farmers markets. Tick Season Tips: Experts highlighted practical ways to reduce tick bites, including permethrin-treated clothing and minimizing exposed skin. Ocean Science Under Pressure: The NSF has begun dismantling a major ocean monitoring network earlier than planned, raising alarms about losing crucial data on warming oceans and marine impacts. Recycling Win: A new mattress-foam recycling process earned a U.S. patent, turning polyurethane foam into materials for products like synthetic leather and shoe soles.

Air Quality: Rhode Island DEM issued another statewide air quality alert for Thursday, June 11, warning of unhealthy ground-level ozone for sensitive groups statewide, with fine particles also expected to run moderate—urging people to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion and plan activities for the morning. Beaches & Water Quality: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed helped secure a $210,000 EPA grant to expand seawater sampling at popular Narragansett Bay beaches after a 2025 season saw 123 beach closures tied to enterococci bacteria. Coastal Erosion: The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank approved Jamestown support for shoreline protection at Potter Cove, including a grant for erosion work and low-interest septic improvement loans for homeowners. Food Access for Seniors: RIDEM launched its 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, offering eligible seniors $50 prepaid cards to buy fruits and vegetables at Rhode Island farmers markets. Natural Gas & Methane Leaks: A new study suggests small home methane leaks may be widespread, adding fuel to the debate over whether to transition off natural gas. Offshore Wind: CRMC approved a key SouthCoast Wind permit over fishing-industry objections, though the project’s timeline and cable path remain uncertain amid federal policy shifts. Ocean Monitoring: A report says the Trump administration has begun dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, raising alarms about reduced ocean climate and ecosystem monitoring.

Ocean & Climate Education: Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium is rolling out a “Bay of the Future” exhibit, tying Rhode Island’s warming waters to changing catches—from more warm-water fish like cobia and mahi-mahi to the reminder that estuaries may not be able to support new arrivals. Heat & Public Health: New England is heading into a sticky stretch, with heat index values that could top 100°F and humidity pushing “feels like” conditions into the low 90s—heat alerts are in place. Energy Policy in the Spotlight: Rhode Island’s Gov. McKee nominee to the Public Utilities Commission, Donna Sams, is stuck in legislative limbo as senators delay action until January, citing concerns about her energy-policy background. Coastal Infrastructure: Construction has begun on the replacement Washington Bridge in Providence, with major in-water work starting now and an estimated opening in November 2028. Marine Monitoring Under Threat: The Trump administration has started dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a network of ocean sensors scientists say is crucial for tracking climate and marine ecosystems. Regional Clean-Energy Legal Fight: New Jersey and other states are suing the federal government over offshore wind lease cancellations tied to Attentive Energy/TotalEnergies, arguing it harms grid reliability and ratepayers. Air Quality Watch: Rhode Island is issuing ozone-related air quality alerts for unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups. Local Traffic & Environment: RIDOT will shift traffic patterns on Route 1 near Route 37 in Warwick starting June 12 to keep construction moving on a deficient bridge.

Stormwater Funding: Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded $1.1M in EPA Overflow Sewer grants to 10 communities for stormwater engineering to cut flooding and improve drainage, including green infrastructure like bioretention basins and swales. Public Health Alert: RIDOH and DEM urged people to avoid Almy Pond in Newport due to a harmful algae bloom, warning against swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and even letting pets contact or drink the water. Legislation Watch: A Rhode Island Senate bill would limit grocery self-checkouts by requiring at least one staffed lane for every three self-checkout lanes, with enforcement through the Attorney General. Climate/Energy Pressure: Advocates are ramping up pressure on Gov. Ned Lamont to reject pipeline expansion, arguing past natural gas buildouts raised costs without lowering fuel prices and worsened local air quality. Heat & Humidity: A heat dome is expected to bring muggy conditions and a chance of thunderstorms/shower activity midweek across New England, including Rhode Island. Ozone Research Push: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) introduced a bill to expand EPA grants for studying tropospheric ozone’s effects on climate, crops, and ecosystems. Local Infrastructure Work: RIDOT will shift traffic on Route 1 near the Route 37 overpass in Warwick to keep bridge work moving through summer 2026.

Health Alert: RIDOH and DEM say avoid all contact with Newport’s Almy Pond due to a harmful algae bloom, warning against swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, drinking untreated water, and eating fish until sampling clears the advisory. Stormwater Funding: Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded $1.1M to 10 communities for stormwater and flood mitigation design work, including green infrastructure like bioretention basins and tree filters. Heat & Humidity: A heat dome keeps New England warm, with humidity rising Wednesday and thunderstorms possible. Coastal Recreation Update: Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown is opening reservations June 10, with new ADA shower/restroom facilities and beach closures tied to construction. Food Access Policy: A bill passed the RI Senate to limit grocery self-checkouts, and a separate measure would restrict restrictive covenants that block grocery stores from operating. Local Safety: Police are investigating after a motorcyclist drove through a Providence Federal Hill street closed for an outdoor event and crashed into the pedestrian area. Climate & Energy Politics: Environmental advocates say they helped stop a late-session push to let RI Energy own power plants, after lawmakers faced competition and ratepayer concerns.

Harmful Algae Alert (Newport): RIDOH and DEM say people should avoid all contact with Almy Pond after a blue-green algae bloom, including swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and eating fish; toxins and high cell counts were found in state lab samples, and the advisory stays in effect until more testing clears the bloom. Stormwater Funding (Statewide): The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1M in EPA-backed grants for stormwater and flood mitigation design work in 10 communities, including green infrastructure like bioretention basins and swales. Rodenticide Restrictions (Wildlife Protection): Rhode Island lawmakers advanced bills to limit second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, aiming to protect owls, hawks, and other predators; the measures now head to the governor. Offshore Wind & Marine Research (URI): URI doctoral research looks at how offshore wind turbine foundations may create reef-like habitat for Jonah crabs, raising questions about whether it boosts life overall or just concentrates it. Campground Upgrades (Charlestown): Burlingame State Campground will open for the 2026 season with new ADA-compliant shower and restroom facilities, though the beach remains closed during construction. Policy Watch (Food Access): A bill restricting grocery-store restrictive covenants is headed to Gov. Dan McKee, with a narrow exception for certain closures.

Harmful Algae Alert (Newport): RIDOH and DEM say people should avoid all contact with Almy Pond in Newport due to a harmful algae bloom, including swimming, fishing, boating, and kayaking. The agencies detected toxins and high cell counts, warn blooms can shift, and advise not to drink untreated water or eat fish from the pond; rinse and wash after any exposure. Heat Watch (New England): A warming ridge is building across the region, with Tuesday staying mostly sunny and warm, then humidity rising by Wednesday and thunderstorms possible—an early reminder to plan for hotter, stickier conditions. Coastal Resilience (Stormwater Grants): Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded about $1.1M to 10 communities for stormwater planning and design to cut flooding from stronger storms, including Middletown, Jamestown, and Block Island. Campground Upgrades (Charlestown): Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown is set to open for the season after construction delays, with new ADA-compliant shower/restroom facilities and water-conserving plumbing; the beach stays closed during ongoing work. Wildlife & Water (Narragansett Bay): A mink was filmed attacking a fawn on a Narragansett Bay beach; DEM said the person was interfering with nature, and the injured fawn was taken to a wildlife rehab facility.

Climate Politics: A new report says many Democrats are going quiet on climate change ahead of midterms, with Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse calling it “climate hushing” and warning that warming is already hitting household costs. Ocean Life & Film: David Attenborough’s NatGeo documentary “Ocean” spotlights the scale of marine ecosystems and the pressures from climate change and industrial activity. Weather & Heat Prep: Rhode Island is in a mostly sunny, mild stretch Monday, but another warm-up is coming fast—plan for hotter, more humid conditions later this week. Air Quality: Rhode Island DEM issued an ozone alert for Saturday, warning of unhealthy air for sensitive groups and urging residents to cut heavy outdoor exertion. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Rhode Island and other states are suing the Trump administration over a “sham deal” that paid TotalEnergies about $928 million to cancel offshore wind leases, arguing it threatens jobs and clean energy. Local Safety: Two deadly motorcyclist crashes hit Southern New England in under 24 hours, a reminder to stay alert and give riders extra space. Plastic Pollution Research: A University of Rochester team developed bacteria-based “bio-stickers” that can speed up breakdown of bioplastics in marine environments. RI Budget: The Rhode Island House approved a $15.2B FY27 budget, with sustainability and a phased-in millionaire’s tax among the marquee items. Boating Incident: RIDEM responded to a Wickford Harbor crash where a 42-foot vessel slammed into a jetty; the operator may have been impaired.

Air Quality Alert: Rhode Island DEM is warning of unhealthy ozone for sensitive groups statewide on Saturday, June 6, with peak levels early afternoon into evening and fine particles running moderate—expect throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and worse asthma; the state urges people to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion, plan for mornings, and use AirNow for updates. Offshore Wind Fight: A multistate lawsuit targets the Trump administration’s “sham deal” to pay TotalEnergies about $928 million to cancel New York offshore wind leases, with Rhode Island among the states arguing the move breaks legal steps and threatens clean energy and union jobs. PFAS Crackdown: A state-by-state push on “forever chemicals” is accelerating, with Rhode Island among states moving toward disclosure rules or restrictions as scrutiny grows over PFAS in consumer products. Ocean & Climate Watch: A weekly climate roundup highlights the environmental toll of data centers and reports on the dismantling of a deep-ocean monitoring system—both tied to rising climate and pollution pressures. Local Waters & Wildlife: Rhode Island coverage spotlights green crabs—an invasive species expanding in warmer waters—and notes their habitat damage, while a separate local item flags a contamination investigation at the Bradford Dyeing Association property.

Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Seven northeastern states, including Rhode Island, sued the Trump administration over a “sham deal” that would refund about $928 million to TotalEnergies after it canceled offshore wind leases—arguing it breaks federal law and swaps clean energy and grid reliability for oil and gas. PFAS Crackdown: A state-by-state push to restrict “forever chemicals” is accelerating, with Rhode Island named among states moving ahead on disclosure and limits as regulators and investigations target PFAS in consumer products. Ocean Pollution Tech: Researchers report bacteria-based “bio-stickers” that can speed up bioplastic breakdown in marine environments, aiming to tackle plastic waste where it lingers for decades. Air Quality Alert: Rhode Island issued a statewide ozone alert for Saturday, warning unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups and urging residents to cut heavy outdoor exertion and plan activities for the morning. Road Safety: Two deadly motorcycle crashes in Southern New England in under 24 hours highlight the seasonal spike in fatalities, with AAA urging drivers to stay focused and give riders more space. Local Water Contamination Meeting: Westerly’s Bradford Community Association will host a June 11 EPA/RI DEM/RI DOH update on a contamination investigation at the Bradford Dyeing Association property.

Air Quality Alert: Rhode Island DEM is warning of statewide unhealthy ozone for sensitive groups on Saturday, with peak levels early afternoon into evening and moderate fine particle pollution—residents are urged to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion, plan for morning activities, and follow asthma action plans. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: A multistate lawsuit calls the Trump administration’s nearly $928 million “sham deal” to pay TotalEnergies to cancel offshore wind leases off New York unlawful, arguing it undermines clean energy and union jobs; Rhode Island is among the plaintiffs. State Budget: The Rhode Island House approved a $15.2B FY27 budget, including a phased-in millionaire’s tax and added funding for healthcare, families, and public transit, while Republicans voted no. Coastal Oversight: The Senate confirmed Scott Rabideau as the final member of the reshaped Coastal Management Council, aiming to reduce vacancies and tighten coastal biologist expertise. Boating Safety: In Wickford Harbor, a 42-foot vessel crash left one injured and led to charges after the operator allegedly refused a sobriety test. Invasive Species Watch: Green crabs—an invasive European species that can damage eelgrass—are being harvested in Rhode Island, with awareness efforts encouraging use of the smaller crabs.

Air Quality Alert: Rhode Island is starting Saturday, June 6, under a statewide ozone alert, with “unhealthy for sensitive groups” conditions expected statewide from early afternoon into the evening; DEM says fine particles may also run moderate, and urges people with asthma or lung issues, kids, and older adults to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion and plan activities for the morning. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Seven northeastern states, including Rhode Island, sued the Trump administration over a “sham deal” to pay TotalEnergies about $928 million to cancel offshore wind leases, arguing the move breaks federal law and swaps clean energy and jobs for oil and gas. Coastal Regulation Update: The Rhode Island Senate confirmed Scott Rabideau as the final member of the reshaped Coastal Resources Management Council, a change meant to reduce vacancies and bring more coastal and environmental expertise to CRMC decisions. Heat + Safety: With a hot weekend building, Rhode Island weather coverage highlights muggy conditions and possible storms—another reason to stay hydrated and watch for ozone impacts. Boating Safety: A Wickford Harbor crash left one injured and led to charges after a 42-foot vessel hit a jetty; RIDEM said impairment may have been a factor.

Air Quality Alert: Rhode Island DEM warns that Saturday’s ground-level ozone could hit “unhealthy” levels for sensitive groups statewide, with peak impacts early afternoon into the evening; officials urge people to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion and use the AirNow app for updates. Coastal Governance: The RI Senate confirmed Scott Rabideau as the final appointee to the retooled Coastal Resources Management Council, a move aimed at reducing quorum problems and tightening coastal expertise on the panel. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: A lawsuit by seven northeastern states challenges the Trump administration’s deal to refund nearly $1 billion to TotalEnergies after offshore wind cancellations—Rhode Island is among the plaintiffs. Climate Budget Clash: Rhode Island lawmakers are advancing a budget deal that keeps most climate frameworks intact while scaling back major cuts proposed by Gov. Dan McKee. Wildlife & Toxins Watch: Residents are seeking answers after raptors reportedly began dying near First Street Rapids, raising concerns about possible poison impacts. Heat & Storm Setup: Another hot stretch is building for the weekend, and severe storms are possible Saturday across parts of the Northeast, including Rhode Island.

Coastal Governance: The Rhode Island Senate confirmed Scott Rabideau as the final member of the retooled Coastal Resources Management Council, shrinking the panel to seven to address quorum problems and adding coastal/environment expertise—though critics like Save the Bay say the whole appointed structure should be scrapped. Ocean Monitoring: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $368 million deep-sea monitoring network, as a potentially record El Niño nears—raising alarms about losing long-term ocean and climate data. Beach Access: Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly reopened after a $1.8M entrance project expanded lanes from three to eight to ease summer congestion. Wildlife & Health: A Rhode Island rodenticide bill advanced after lawmakers moved to limit certain rat poisons, aiming to protect predators that can be harmed by anticoagulant baits. Public Safety: Rhode Island is also heading into peak Lyme season as tick-bite ER visits rise nationwide, with guidance focused on yard habitat control and pet protection. Weather: Friday, June 5 looks warm and mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s and low rain chances.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA upgraded to a strong G3 geomagnetic storm for June 4–5, with aurora possible as far south as Rhode Island and Massachusetts—though clouds could spoil the view. Heat Alert: New England is heading into a hot stretch, with 90s expected through the weekend and record highs possible in parts of the region. Coastal Access & Traffic: Rhode Island wrapped up a $1.8 million Misquamicut State Beach entrance upgrade in Westerly, expanding entry lanes from 3 to 8 to cut congestion on Atlantic Avenue. Tick & Lyme Season: Tick bites are driving more ER visits nationwide, and Rhode Island is heading into peak Lyme season—so yard maintenance and protection steps matter now. Energy Governance: Rhode Island’s energy efficiency programs face scrutiny after procurement was reportedly short-circuited to keep Rhode Island Energy in the lead, while the Energy Efficiency Council saw nominee delays in the Senate. Ocean Monitoring: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, threatening long-running deep-sea climate and ocean health data.

Offshore Wind in Court: Rhode Island is among seven Northeastern states suing the Trump administration over a nearly $1 billion deal that canceled offshore wind leases tied to TotalEnergies, arguing the government improperly used taxpayer money and steered funds toward oil and gas instead. Ocean Monitoring Under Threat: A separate report says the Trump administration plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a deep-ocean monitoring network that tracks ocean chemistry and currents—data scientists say is crucial as seas warm and El Niño nears. Misquamicut Traffic Fix: Rhode Island officials celebrated completion of a $1.8M Misquamicut State Beach entrance upgrade, expanding entry lanes from 3 to 8 to cut congestion along Atlantic Avenue. Northern Lights Alert: NOAA is warning of a strong geomagnetic storm that could make auroras visible across as many as 23 states, including parts of the Northeast. Indoor Air Quality Tech: Vitacorps announced a new air purification system aimed at cutting maintenance costs for large housing operators while improving filtration.