AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Resilience Boost: Florida’s “Wall of Wind” is getting a $15 million expansion to create a next-generation testing site that can push wind speeds up to 200 mph, helping researchers better match what buildings face in real Category 5 storms. Grid & Bills: The U.S. House is set to vote next week on a bipartisan “Ratepayer Protection Act” aimed at stopping data centers from driving up electricity costs by requiring regulators to account for the full incremental cost of grid upgrades. EV Market Watch: A new Southeast report says EV sales topped 1.13 million through June 30, with Florida among the leaders in adoption, even as clean-vehicle investment and jobs dipped for the first time in seven years. Fuel Prices Check: GasBuddy data shows E85 and premium gas prices varying across Florida counties in the week ending Sept. 5, with E85 as low as $2.99 in Osceola/Flagler and premium gas lows around $4.11–$4.29 depending on the area. AI Safety Push: Lawmakers are renewing calls for federal oversight after major AI leaders warned current safety steps can’t keep up with rapid progress.

Florida Energy & Grid: St. Petersburg is moving toward a $55 million plan to turn space under I-275 into Trails Crossing—parks, trails, and safer connections to the Pinellas Trail—an example of how cities are reshaping transportation corridors for resilience and mobility. Health & Public Safety: A national report highlights rising mosquito-borne illnesses, with West Nile and dengue expanding as warmer weather stretches mosquito seasons—Florida health officials are watching closely as cases climb. Policy & Power Markets: A federal appeals court struck down the Trump administration’s emergency order keeping Michigan’s coal plant running, a reminder that federal power reliability moves can face legal limits. Tropical Weather: Forecasters say the Atlantic is unusually quiet so far in 2026, with El Niño and Sahara dust suppressing hurricane formation—still, Florida remains in hurricane-season mode. Local Utility/Workforce: Keys Energy Services named Kaylee Parra its Outstanding Employee of the Third Quarter, spotlighting customer-service leadership in the Keys. Aviation/Ag Tech: ZenaTech’s drone service won Irish Aviation Authority authorization for large-scale precision agriculture, signaling continued growth in drone-enabled farm inputs.

Grid & Reliability: Homestead Public Services cut power to about 1,300 homes during record heat after resuming aggressive collections on overdue bills, while investor-owned utilities agreed to avoid disconnections above 95°F—highlighting how municipal rules can leave residents exposed. Air Policy: The U.S. EPA issued guidance to clarify how it will review state air plans for startup, shutdown and malfunction provisions after recent court rulings, including cases involving Florida’s electric power coordinating group. Energy Costs & Inflation: New federal inflation data show prices up 3.4% year over year, with gas and oil driving much of the increase—another pressure point for Florida households already feeling energy-driven cost swings. Clean Transport: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy released its 7th annual Southeast transportation electrification report, pointing to the region’s continued EV manufacturing momentum and jobs growth. Data Centers & Power Politics: Automakers are moving into stationary battery storage for data centers, as community pushback over energy and environmental impacts could spill into the political fight around new power-hungry projects.

Hurricane Watch: Atlantic activity stayed unusually quiet as the season hit key late benchmarks with no hurricanes yet, driven by El Niño, Saharan dust, and wind shear—though forecasters still warn conditions can flip. Grid Reliability: A new FERC-NERC report says unplanned power plant outages dropped sharply during 2025/26 winter storms, pointing to better cold-weather prep and fuel readiness. Fuel Costs: Diesel hit a record $6+ as Iran-linked and broader energy disruptions tighten distillate supplies, adding pressure to household budgets and freight prices. Energy Infrastructure Model: A Florida-linked report argues rental and redeployable “fleet” equipment is winning over fixed assets as mega projects multiply and needs change faster. Public Health & Energy Overlap: Dengue cases surged in Florida, with Hillsborough leading locally acquired infections—another reminder that heat and storms can strain both health systems and community resources. Policy/Markets: A federal court ruling blocks Kansas natural-gas price-gouging protections, underscoring how legal rules can shift who eats energy shock costs.

Hurricane Preparedness: As Sept. 10 hits the Atlantic climatological peak with no hurricanes yet, Florida utilities and meteorologists are urging residents not to relax—FPL says preparedness can’t wait, while Duke Energy Florida highlights grid hardening and faster outage recovery. Grid & Storm Hardening: Duke reports upgrades to transmission poles, more underground distribution, and self-healing tech serving most customers, plus local storm-prep grants. Local Outage Risk: Keys Energy Services’ board approved a FY 2027 budget focused on storm hardening, with a small average residential bill increase starting Jan. 1, 2027. Dengue Watch: Florida health officials are investigating a possible dengue-related death in Hillsborough as locally acquired cases climb to 95, with mosquito control teams ramping up spraying. Energy Prices & Fuel Pressure: Reports point to Florida gas prices staying near or above $4 amid global oil supply worries, keeping affordability front and center for drivers. Policy & Regulation: Virginia adds local public hearings to the Dominion–NextEra merger review—another reminder that utility decisions can reshape rates and reliability.

Florida utility rates fight: Ahead of a Florida Public Service Commission vote, advocacy groups are urging regulators to keep a cost-saving rule that would otherwise raise bills by changing how utilities calculate corporate tax breaks passed to customers. Gas prices and Iran shock: Central Florida pump prices are climbing as the Iran war disrupts global oil flows, with AAA citing a national average around $4.28 and Florida near $4.15; Trump says relief could take until after the midterms. Hurricane outlook: With Sept. 10 as the Atlantic peak, forecasters say the basin is unusually quiet under El Niño conditions, with high wind shear and dust suppressing tropical development. Energy tech in Florida: Lafayette Square backed Hollywood Trucks’ autonomous-energy production trailers for film and TV, aiming to expand on-site clean power. Grid stress and weather tools: Climavision is opening its private radar and forecasting platform to AI data centers and grid operators as power demand grows. Local resilience in the Keys: Islamorada is moving toward a living shoreline/breakwater plan near Sea Oats Beach to protect U.S. 1 and nearby power infrastructure from erosion and storm washouts. FPL customer help: FPL launched a new online Assistance Center, including a one-time $200 bill credit via the “Saving Steps” program. Space launch tie-in: A Florida-linked defense supplier provided mechanisms for NASA’s Roman space telescope, launched from Kennedy Space Center. Health and energy-adjacent consumer note: A Florida International University study finds popular fitness watches often overestimate exercise calories, reminding consumers to treat wearable numbers as estimates.

Gas Pain in Florida: With Florida gas pushing past $4 after Labor Day, drivers in Volusia/Flagler and Southwest Florida say the jump is squeezing budgets fast, while some local businesses and families absorb higher costs or hunt discounts instead of passing them on. Utility Merger Watch (Out of State, Big Implications): Virginia residents and Dominion employees are pressing concerns about the proposed Dominion–NextEra merger, arguing it could raise bills and leave vulnerable customers and workers exposed. Policy + Power Politics: The GOP’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas put Trump front and center, with energy production and economic messaging aimed at boosting turnout. Energy-Adjacent Home Protection: FPL Home mailers are prompting questions about whether homeowners need coverage for exterior water and electric lines, with the service described as optional and run through separate providers. Oil Market Pressure: Reuters reports oil prices above $100 as conflict around Iran keeps energy costs elevated, feeding broader market jitters.

Fuel Costs Spike: Florida’s average gas price jumped above $4 for the first time since late May, with AAA putting regular at $4.07 on Sept. 9 (up 18 cents day-over-day), as wholesale oil futures rise amid the Iran conflict and national post–Labor Day prices hit record highs. Local Pump Shock: In Southwest Florida, AAA reports the Fort Myers/Cape Coral average at $4.11, while individual stations like a RaceTrac in Fort Myers posted $4.19. EV Charging Expansion (Florida included): EVgo and Regency Centers are adding 400+ fast-charging stalls at Regency shopping centers, with new sites planned in Florida among other states—aimed at making charging easier where people already shop. Grid/Power Demand Watch: Lake County approved a 90-day pause on large-scale data center applications to craft new rules, citing heavy power-grid and water-cooling demands.

Grid Resilience in Florida: Duke Energy’s new battery microgrid in Gilchrist County can keep power flowing to about 1,500 customers for up to four hours during outages, aiming to cut storm downtime and speed recovery. EV Policy Watch: A Southeast transportation electrification report is set for a Sept. 10 webinar, tracking EV sales, charging buildout, utility investment, and public funding across Florida and neighboring states. Local Energy Infrastructure: Charlotte County commissioners approved site plans for a Buc-ee’s near I-75, a major fuel-and-travel center proposal that drew both support and concerns about flood risk and river impacts. Energy Prices & Geopolitics: With Middle East tensions flaring, oil prices pushed toward $100 a barrel, adding pressure to household energy costs; Florida gas prices were reported around $3.90 per gallon. Climate-Linked Reef Risk: A new study warns ocean warming is harming king crab larvae used in Florida coral restoration, raising questions for a $100M federal reef program.

Nuclear Power & Jobs: The U.S. Department of Energy closed a loan of up to $1.9B to help restart NextEra’s Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa, with the project targeting commercial operation in 2029 and citing major construction and operations employment impacts. Florida Energy & Industry: A Tampa energy startup founder, mIQroTech’s Meade Lewis, is set to plead guilty next month to wire fraud tied to misleading investor pitches, facing up to 20 years and forfeiture of $7.9M. Grid Reliability in Florida: A power outage delayed the Florida State–SMU game at Doak Campbell Stadium by nearly two hours, turning a sports weekend into a local reliability story. Public Health: Dengue cases in Florida nearly doubled in a week, with 32 new locally acquired cases reported statewide. Labor & Consumer Pressure: Starbucks baristas in Central Florida and across the U.S. are calling for a boycott over a stalled union contract, including demands for higher pay and staffing. Solar Market Watch: Tesla’s Solar Roof exit is leaving installers with major losses and uncertainty after the company stopped shipping tiles and shifted customers to standard panels. Local Development: Charlotte County residents are split over a proposed Buc-ee’s on I-75 near the Peace River, with flood-risk and traffic concerns driving debate. Weather & Safety: Lovebugs are back in force across Florida, with drivers warned they can damage paint if not cleaned quickly.

Florida Dengue Watch: Florida mosquito-control agencies are ramping up surveillance, inspections, and spraying as locally acquired dengue cases are expected to rise, with 33 Tampa Bay cases and 41 statewide reported as of Sept. 1 and county alerts active in Hillsborough and Pinellas. Fuel Costs & Travel Pressure: AAA reports Labor Day gas prices hit record highs nationally, with the U.S. average around $4.15 a gallon and diesel also setting records—keeping Florida drivers focused on shorter trips and fewer fill-ups. Coastal Water Cleanup: Cocoa Beach is moving ahead with a $41 million sand-capping project in the Banana River Lagoon to cover nutrient-rich muck and improve water quality near the golf course. Grid & Bills Conversation: Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi is taking an “Energy Cost Listening Tour” to hear concerns about utility affordability tied to the Dominion-NextEra merger debate. Hurricane-Ready Solar: A new look at rooftop solar durability highlights Florida’s hurricane-focused standards and the real-world risk of wind and hail damage.

Energy Costs & Oil Markets: A Brown University tracker says the Iran war is driving Americans’ extra energy costs to about $100B, with the estimate rising by $1M every two minutes, as Hormuz shipping risk keeps pressure on gasoline and diesel prices. Florida Climate & Resilience: New reporting highlights how Florida’s Gulf waters are warming fast and staying hot longer, with NOAA data pointing to a major shift toward longer extreme heat that can worsen storms and marine impacts. Local Power Policy: Florida-led attorneys general are pushing back on Big Four climate disclosure efforts, warning they could clash with state law and create liability for accounting firms. Grid & Cooling: A Yale study cited in coverage says air conditioning prevents thousands of heat deaths each year, underscoring the life-saving role of cooling during hotter summers. Travel & Gas Prices: AAA reports Labor Day gas prices are higher, with Georgia up sharply and Florida also near record levels, adding to end-of-summer travel strain. Community Energy Debate: In Virginia, residents are linking rising bills, data centers, transmission lines, and a proposed NextEra-Dominion merger into one affordability fight.

AI Misuse Concerns: Bill Gates is warning that generative AI’s risks are “imminent,” pointing to threats ranging from cybersecurity to biology and systems humans can’t control—while Florida’s AG has previously alleged ChatGPT helped a gunman with firearms details in a 2025 case. Aviation Safety in Florida: An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport and crashed into cars, killing at least five; flights were paused and officials say runways and taxiways were closed. Florida Energy & Resilience: Cuba’s blackout-hit grid is leaning harder on solar, with the government touting more than 50 solar parks and large daytime output—plus storage challenges remain. Grid & Climate Tech: Florida State Parks is rolling out 25 new e-bikes for rangers this fall, expanding a statewide fleet to 75 since 2024. Local Power Costs & Policy: A Florida-focused debate continues around utility mergers and ratepayer protection, with regulators and lawmakers pressing for safeguards. Transportation Tech Watch: Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi launch in Austin is drawing scrutiny and a safety probe as investors question readiness for real-world scale. Energy-Adjacent Local Life: Labor Day travel in Florida is still pricey, with gas and airfare pushing budgets and shaping how many people fly or drive.

Geothermal Upgrade: Fort Sill’s $63M modernization is putting more than 1,700 military homes on geothermal heat pumps, aiming to cut energy use by 57% with financing structured through an Energy Savings Performance Contract. Grid Reliability Debate: A new report highlights how drought and heat have forced nuclear plants to shut down in Europe, challenging the claim that nuclear “doesn’t care about the weather.” Florida Energy & Housing Tension: North Port residents packed a workshop on data centers, pushing questions about cooling, water use, and energy demand as local opposition to a moratorium grows. Local Power Costs: A Florida homeowner says a newly installed AC unit is far louder than expected, reigniting complaints about HVAC upgrades and comfort vs. performance. Oil & Security Watch: U.S. Central Command released footage of strikes that sank an Iranian oil vessel in the Gulf of Oman, underscoring how energy routes and naval security are colliding.

Space & Tech: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to scan the Milky Way for potentially habitable alien moons, with one scientist predicting up to 200,000 planets could be spotted in the survey. Grid & Reliability: A new report warns that a major solar storm can disrupt GPS and other signals across the U.S., raising concerns for autonomous systems and navigation. Florida Energy & Costs: AAA says Labor Day travel is pricier this year, with Florida gas averaging about $3.93 versus $3.14 last year. Oil & Policy: The U.S. is moving to secure a 35% stake in a Venezuelan oil firm tied to billionaire Alejandro Betancourt, aiming for long-term access to crude while the political and legal backdrop remains contentious. Local Utilities & Health: UF Health is exploring a fifth hybrid ER/urgent care site in Jacksonville on a former gas station lot, near a competing clinic. Hemp Update: A federal provision delays most upcoming hemp restrictions, giving Florida retailers and businesses more time to sell THC hemp products.

Venezuela Oil Deal: A U.S.-Pentagon-backed oil agreement puts Alejandro Betancourt—previously investigated for money laundering—at the center of Washington’s long-term access to about one-fifth of Venezuela’s crude reserves, raising fresh questions as the deal follows a major January leadership operation. Florida Energy & Grid: A new report highlights how solar-plus-storage is boosting grid reliability in Texas, even as politics complicate the wind industry—an angle that matters for Florida’s own reliability and clean-power buildout. Fuel Disruption in Miami-Dade: A tractor-trailer crash shut down westbound Dolphin Expressway lanes after more than 120 gallons of fuel spilled; hazmat crews contained the leak and lanes stayed closed for cleanup. Health Infrastructure Near Energy Corridors: UF Health is eyeing a fifth hybrid ER/urgent care in Mandarin on a former gas station lot, with site viability steps underway near competing clinics. Local Resilience Push: Florida’s upcoming Resilience Conference (Sept. 23-25) spotlights implementation across energy, water, and coastal infrastructure. Data-Center Backlash: Across the U.S., recall efforts are targeting local officials over data center decisions tied to electricity, water use, noise, and costs—an issue that’s increasingly showing up in Florida politics too.