AGP Executive Report

Hurricane science gets a boost: University of Delaware researchers are testing tagged sharks as roaming ocean sensors, sending back temperature data from multiple depths to help improve hurricane predictions. Air quality warning hits Delaware: A Code Orange ozone alert is in effect, with heat and a temperature inversion trapping pollution near the surface; sensitive groups are urged to limit outdoor exertion. Boaters get a safety upgrade: DNREC says it expects to finish Inland Bays channel marking ahead of Memorial Day, replacing and relocating navigation markers after storms and shifting conditions. Health policy fight: Virginia AG Jay Jones joined a coalition opposing the EPA’s move to roll back national limits on toxic ethylene oxide pollution. Delaware politics, legal front: A conservative group is challenging Delaware’s campaign finance law, arguing it chills political speech. Local governance: Delaware’s Court of Chancery upheld removal of an “imperious” CEO under DGCL Section 225.

Delaware Courtroom Win for Governance: The Delaware Court of Chancery upheld the removal of an “Imperious” CEO under DGCL Section 225, backing the directors’ good-faith, business-judgment decisions even as the CEO argued it was really a family feud. Public Health on the Move: Delaware’s mosquito control team is set to spray adult mosquitoes Monday evening in multiple Sussex/Kent-area towns and zones, while air quality heads the other direction with a Code Orange ozone action day Tuesday tied to temperature inversions and mid-90s heat. State Leadership Updates: UD named Rena Hallam as the permanent dean of CEHD, and DPH Director Steven Blessing announced his retirement effective July 1. Community & Learning: Cape Henlopen multilingual students earned state honors, and Highmark Delaware will keep funding its health equity grants through 2026. Environment Planning: DNREC released a 2026–2030 Delaware Wetland Program Plan to guide monitoring, education, and conservation priorities.

EPA Rollback Fight: Delaware’s neighbors are pushing back hard as Attorney General Kwame Raoul leads a coalition of 16 AGs against the EPA’s move to repeal national ethylene oxide (EtO) pollution limits—rules the EPA says target a known human carcinogen. The coalition argues the rollback ignores updated science and would raise health risks for communities near sterilization facilities. DNREC Wetlands Plan: Closer to home, DNREC released its 2026–2030 Delaware Wetland Program Plan, aiming to boost wetland acreage and improve conditions through better monitoring, research, education, and conservation priorities. Heat + Air Alerts: A first major heat wave is hitting the region, with ozone “Code Orange” alerts in parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, urging sensitive groups to limit heavy outdoor activity. Local Life: West Marine filed for Chapter 11 restructuring while keeping stores and online access open, and Delaware Grown Week runs May 17–23.

Tick-bite allergy push: Pennsylvania is rolling out new tracking for alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy triggered by lone star tick bites, after about 600 cases were flagged in the past two years and officials expect more as testing expands. AI + power strain debate: In Philly-area civic talks, State Sen. Joe Picozzi and community leaders zeroed in on data centers and AI’s electricity demands, with discussion of possible moratoriums and a “measured approach.” Housing math for buyers: A Realtor.com report says newer homes can save buyers about $25,335 over the first 10 years versus 20-year-old houses, mainly through lower maintenance and energy costs. Game launch buzz: Subnautica 2 hit 2 million Early Access sales in 12 hours and released a patch roadmap—though early buyers are still weighing performance and terms. Delaware watch: DNREC’s drive-on surf-fishing reservation system starts May 23, and the Delaware Court of Chancery weighed expanded Caremark-style liability tied to workplace misconduct oversight.

Tick-bite allergy watch: Pennsylvania is rolling out new tracking for alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy triggered by lone star tick bites, after about 600 cases were flagged in the last two years and officials expect more as testing expands. Data-center pressure: Ohio residents are packing meetings and pushing temporary bans as data centers multiply; the fight is now spilling into state lawmakers over how much local communities can control. Delaware coastal science: In Lewes, a sand-movement camera pilot wrapped up, but the Delaware Geological Survey is asking to keep the network running with new cameras and volunteer help. Heat safety push: Delaware is gearing up for Heat Awareness Week, with events focused on outdoor worker safety, kids, pets, and vulnerable residents. Wildlife update: DNREC says northern bobwhite quail habitat work is paying off, with numbers rising and birds moving into newly “habitat-friendly” areas.

Coastal Science Gets a Boost: Lewes’ beach-camera pilot wrapped April 30, but the Delaware Geological Survey is asking to keep the system running—using “eyes” along the coast to track how waves, currents, and wind reshape shorelines, with new cameras and volunteer sites planned. Data Center Fight: A state bill that would have let data centers be treated like any other permitted business in commercial zones was tabled in the House, effectively stalling it for the rest of the session—leaving the local vs. state control battle unresolved. Heat & Safety Push: Delaware Heat Awareness Week is kicking off with events aimed at protecting outdoor workers, youth, and pets during extreme temperatures. Community Outdoors: Sussex Sand Sharks mountain bikers (grades 5–12) are building skills through NICA events across Delaware trails, with a “Give it a Go” day for newcomers. Policy Watch: Delaware’s Senate Housing & Land Use Committee is facing pushback on SB 23, with Millsboro warning it could weaken local home-rule.

AI + Business: OpenAI just launched DeployCo, a Delaware-domiciled $4B enterprise AI venture that would place OpenAI engineers inside big companies to turn corporate data and workflows into production AI—while also raising fresh privacy questions after a recent Canadian privacy ruling tied to the same setup. Public Health + Air Pollution: Delaware’s neighbors are pushing back hard on EPA plans to roll back ethylene oxide limits; Maryland AG Brown joined a coalition arguing the change would undo cancer protections for communities near sterilization facilities. Health + Uncertainty: A hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship is spotlighting a frustrating gap—what “close contact” really means varies by agency, even though Andes virus spread between people is considered rare. Environment + Delaware-Region Watch: New Jersey is warning of elevated wildfire risk as hot, dry, windy conditions return, while Delaware continues targeted habitat work for northern bobwhite quail and DNREC moves toward chronic wasting disease planning in Sussex County. Local Life: Aldan Tree Tenders is restoring canopy one tree at a time, planting a sycamore at a playground hit by last year’s cuts.

DNREC & Delaware Outdoors: Pay-to-park is back in Rehoboth Beach, with meters charging $4 an hour (10 a.m.–10 p.m.) and seasonal permits required in nonmetered areas—plus scooter passes available. Public Health & Climate: California AG Rob Bonta joined a multistate push against EPA’s proposed rollback of ethylene oxide air standards, arguing the change would weaken cancer protections for communities near sterilization facilities. Wildlife Watch: Delaware’s first chronic wasting disease cases were confirmed in Sussex County—one positive and one presumptive—prompting monitoring and hunter notifications. Coastal Access: Starting May 23 through Labor Day, weekend/holiday reservations will be required for five popular drive-on surf-fishing beaches. Weather Signals: NOAA says El Niño has a strong chance to be in place May–July, setting up a warmer-than-normal summer risk. Local Conservation: DNREC is also expanding northern bobwhite quail habitat work, building on years of habitat-friendly improvements.

Heat Safety Push: Delaware kicks off Delaware Heat Awareness Week with a May 18 event at ChristianaCare’s Wilmington campus, spotlighting outdoor worker safety, youth/school readiness, and keeping pets and vulnerable people safe during extreme heat. DNREC Wildlife Work: DNREC says targeted habitat efforts are helping northern bobwhite quail rebound—Delaware’s population has climbed from “dozens” to about 800, with new habitat-friendly areas like Marshy Hope Wildlife Area. CWD Alert: Sussex County has its first chronic wasting disease detections in deer—two cases reported—prompting monitoring and hunter notifications. Drought Worsens: A severe drought now covers the full tri-state area, with the region 13 inches behind normal rainfall over nine months. Research & Discovery: UD’s Cathy Wu was elected an AAAS Fellow for bioinformatics data science, including protein annotation and knowledge discovery. Local Governance: Millsboro’s town council opposes SB 23, warning it could weaken municipal home-rule over land-use decisions.

DNREC’s CWD Response: Delaware just got its first confirmed chronic wasting disease cases in Sussex County—two deer, including one USDA-confirmed positive—prompting DNREC to outline monitoring, testing, and hunter notifications after a Laurel meeting. Workplace Health: A University of Delaware-led study finds many workers hide chronic pain to meet “ideal worker” expectations, tying workplace norms to real bodily strain. Clean Tech in Delaware: AirJoule Technologies says its Newark, Delaware facility completed the first full-scale build of its AirJoule Prime system, pushing commercialization plans forward. Housing Pressure: ATTOM reports foreclosure activity in the U.S. rose 18% year over year, with Delaware among the hardest hit. Grants for Small Business: Delaware’s DSB awarded $1.15M in EDGE 2.0 grants to nine small businesses, including STEM and entrepreneur winners across the state. Wildlife Watch: Maryland’s annual survey found 69 CWD-positive deer in 2025, all within its existing management area—spread is still a regional concern.

HBCU Funding Push: The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is applauding the new IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, aimed at tackling long-deferred campus infrastructure needs—repairs, broadband, safety, and tech—at historically Black colleges and universities. Delaware Press Spotlight: DNREC’s communications team just racked up multiple first-place awards from the Delaware Press Association, highlighting how state storytelling is landing with readers. Hospital Cleanliness Watch: A new national study flags Delaware as the “dirtiest” hospital state on hygiene scores, while Utah tops the cleanliness list—another reminder that public health starts with basics. DNREC Outdoor Access: DNREC is bringing back weekend/holiday reservations for five top drive-on surf fishing beaches starting May 23. EV Charging Dollars: Delaware County is set to receive $2M for public EV charging stations through a federal carbon-reduction program. Local Tech & Culture: OperaDelaware hosts a major national conference in Wilmington, drawing hundreds of opera professionals.

Grid & Wildlife: Kansas regulators told Evergy to rethink parts of a 133-mile transmission route after approving construction through some counties but blocking a proposed crossing into the Flint Hills’ native grasslands. Delaware Water Access: DNREC will require reservations for five top drive-on surf fishing beaches starting May 23 on weekends and holidays through Labor Day, while keeping seven other beaches reservation-free this summer. Small-Business Boost: Delaware’s DSB announced Spring 2026 EDGE 2.0 winners, awarding $1.15 million to nine companies (Entrepreneur and STEM) to help grow new ideas into jobs. Local Governance: Conway residents packed a council meeting to oppose a fast-moving, potentially $1B data center plan, raising worries about power bills and water use. Public Safety: Pennsylvania State Police arrested a man accused of terroristic threats toward Democratic lawmakers after alleged “hit list” posts on X. Business Moves: Paul Sharobeem left Century Aluminum for a managing counsel role at McDonald’s.

Border Security: Chicago CBP says it stopped 107 shipments in April carrying weapon-modification parts—100 with 255 pistol automatic fire conversion switches and 7 with 14 suppressors—mostly from China headed to U.S. destinations. Delaware Politics: Rep. Greg Vitali’s long run in the Pennsylvania House is under pressure as Delaware County Democrats back challenger Judy Trombetta, with Vitali’s environmental committee power now in the spotlight. Local Environment & Health: Delaware’s per-capita healthcare spending hit $11.3B in 2024, outpacing the state’s 3% benchmark, while DNREC highlights more fishing access and a Troop 1 scout plants 250+ native trees at a Lewes preserve. Energy & Air: Philadelphia Gas Commission tabled PGW’s Port Richmond LNG expansion pending more study, approving only $1M for environmental review and $4M for engineering. Community & Culture: “Currents” brings multimedia art to Fairmount Water Works, reframing the Schuylkill River through local artists.

Healthcare Costs: Delaware per-capita health spending hit about $11.3B in 2024, up nearly 9%—well above the state’s 3% benchmark—driven by inflation, higher drug and hospital costs, and more behavioral health use. Small Business Boost: Gov. Matt Meyer and the Delaware Division of Small Business announced Spring 2026 EDGE 2.0 winners—nine awards totaling $1.15M for 17 pitches across entrepreneur and STEM categories. Local Planning Watch: Sussex County is set to weigh rezoning and conditional-use requests, including a Lewes housing rezoning and a year-round storage plan tied to the Route 1 homeless campground. Energy & Air: In Philly, the Gas Commission tabled PGW’s Port Richmond LNG liquefier expansion request, approving only study funding for now. Legal/Policy: A Delaware Chancery ruling lets fraud claims based on alleged oral deal promises move forward at the early stage. Public Health: Delaware tick concerns keep rising, with state officials pointing to multiple tick types and ongoing Lyme risk.

Wealth Exodus Pitch: New York’s Democratic tax push is fueling a “wealth exodus” narrative, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott urging billionaires to relocate to a no-state-income-tax, pro-growth environment. Grid & Bills Pressure: Maryland lawmakers are pressing PJM over skyrocketing electric bills, arguing the region’s grid operator lacks a clear affordability plan. Delaware Health & Safety: DNREC is rolling out free summer aquatic programs (including Take A Kid Fishing!) while Delaware tick alerts keep climbing—Lyme and other tick-borne risks remain a top concern. Local Policy Fight: Delaware’s hospital price-cap bill (SB 1) is still in negotiations after hospitals warned of job losses. Clean Slate Delay: Delaware’s automatic record-clearing law is stuck as state police manually review eligibility, leaving far fewer cases cleared than promised. Air Quality Watch: Delaware City refinery repairs are expected to spike emissions again over the next month.

Delaware Energy Crunch: Delaware is still last in the country for energy production and leans hard on the PJM grid—so when supply tightens, residents and businesses feel it. The new focus: permitting reform. A big barrier is slow, overlapping, and sometimes duplicative approvals that can drag energy projects for years, even as demand is projected to jump 32% by 2030. Air Pollution Watch: Delaware City Refinery repairs are set to push emissions higher again for weeks, with officials pointing to maintenance-related changes in how gases are captured. Tick Season Alert: CDC data shows tick-bite ER visits are up nationwide, and Delaware has multiple stable tick species—so prevention matters. Clean Slate Delay: Delaware’s automatic expungement law is moving slowly because state police are manually reviewing eligibility, leaving many people stuck with records that should’ve cleared. Local Life: Wilmington tree-trimming responsibilities are split between the city and Delmarva, and staffing limits are slowing responses.