AGP Executive Report

WNBA Return to LA: Nneka Ogwumike is back with the Sparks, getting a huge Crypto.com Arena welcome as she takes on the job of guiding Los Angeles back to the playoffs after six years. Women’s Hockey Momentum: The PWHL Walter Cup is headed to Canada after Montreal’s win, but the league’s growth story stays US-forward with new franchises in Las Vegas and Detroit plus San Jose expansion. Nevada Clean Streets Push: Reno inventor Derek Asmis launched Trash Can Buddy, a made-in-USA device meant to keep lids shut against wind and critters—an easy fix for litter and neighborhood mess. Cooling Costs Reality Check: A new survey finds 50% of Americans skipped HVAC maintenance to save money, even as hotter summers raise the odds of bigger repairs later. Deep-Sea Mining Fast-Track: After a Trump executive order, regulators are moving quickly and companies are lining up for seabed access—while critics warn the business case still looks shaky. BLM Leadership Confirmed: The Senate confirmed Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management, a decision that conservation groups say could accelerate public-land sales and oil-and-gas priorities.

Water Infrastructure: President Trump signed off on a $2B pipeline that can run under the Sloan Canyon conservation area, aiming to keep Southern Nevada’s water supply reliable as an aging system faces repairs. Mental Health & Housing: In southwest Las Vegas, a recovery home is trying to stop the slide into homelessness by offering residential support for people dealing with mental health and substance use before crisis hits. Rural Health Access: A new pilot backed by the Helmsley Charitable Trust could help small Mountain West hospitals get steadier supplies of generic drugs at wholesale prices, tackling shortages that force care delays. Local Community Support: Washoe County School District police donated 175 books to the Reno Rodeo Foundation’s courthouse Reading Rooms, giving kids a calmer place during tough legal visits. Clean Tech Food: Barry Callebaut is bringing a cocoa-free chocolate ingredient to the U.S., expanding “cocoa-free” options for manufacturers. Nevada Politics: Nevada Democrats are lining up for the 2026 governor’s race, with Attorney General Aaron Ford leading the primary field.

Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices are climbing again, with the U.S. average hitting $4.55 a gallon and California averaging $6.14—up sharply since late February. Air Quality Alerts: Millions in California and North Carolina are being told to “remain indoors” as wildfire smoke and pollution push health risks higher. Lake Tahoe Power Crunch: Nevada’s data-center boom is pressuring the grid across the border—49,000 California residents near South Lake Tahoe face potential electricity cutoffs next year as utilities shift resources. Mining & Critical Materials: A Nevada tungsten asset is moving through filings and mandates as the market tightens ahead of a U.S. defense procurement deadline that limits Chinese-linked supply. Local Business & Community: The Heart Attack Grill is closing in Las Vegas, blaming rising costs. Tech in Healthcare: Rovex is piloting autonomous patient transport in Florida, aiming to cut hospital bottlenecks. Wildlife & Courts: A man accused of injuring flamingos at a Las Vegas casino missed court again; negotiations are set for June 4.

Rangeland Fire Fight: ARS researchers in Boise are using prescribed cattle grazing to knock back cheatgrass and medusahead—two highly flammable invasives blamed for bigger, faster wildfires—so perennial grasses and sagebrush can rebound. Nevada at the Pump: AAA puts Nevada gas at about $5.25 a gallon today, roughly 72 cents above the national average, with Mineral County leading at $5.70. School Safety: Clark County will keep school-zone flashers on through summer, and a new state law starting July 1 doubles fines for speeding and illegal U-turns in school zones. AI + Supply Chains: Dell CEO Michael Dell says agentic AI is worsening supply-chain strain and inflation beyond components, pushing companies to lock in demand earlier. BLM Leadership: The Senate confirmed Steve Pearce as BLM director, a win for supporters of public-land sales and a red flag for conservationists. Wildfire Mitigation Funding: UNR received $3.55M for fuel reduction and restoration in west Washoe Valley.

Data Center Supply Chain: Polargy just boosted its Nevada footprint by buying Forge Racks & Dunnage, adding 160,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing capacity and pushing its total to 550,000+ sq. ft. across North America—aimed at scaling “white space” and “grey space” for hyperscalers and AI cloud providers. Local Tech & Media: Insta360 launched the Mic Pro, a wireless mic system teased in Las Vegas, featuring a customizable e-ink display and a three-microphone array for different pickup patterns. Waste & Circularity: A new e-waste recycling plant feasibility and business plan package is pitching investors on regulated feedstock, multi-metal recovery, and full project ROI modeling. Energy & Water Pressure: The week’s broader Nevada story keeps circling back to power and water strain from AI buildouts, with fresh reporting highlighting how utility decisions can ripple into real costs for nearby communities. Community & Safety: Las Vegas-area junk hauling is expanding ahead of summer heat, targeting clutter that can become fire and hazard risk when temperatures spike.

Nevada’s battery recycling momentum: American Battery Technology Company says its Nevada recycling operation is scaling up fast enough to flip the numbers—record Q3 revenue and its first positive gross margin from operations, driven by higher throughput and more demand tied to data centers and AI storage. AI infrastructure, but greener pressure: Dell is pushing on-prem AI hard at Dell Technologies World in Las Vegas, pitching new rack-scale systems and “token economics” as enterprises move off cloud-only experiments. Water stress meets tech growth: A separate smart-meter billing backlash in Amarillo shows how drought-era utilities are under pressure as digital tracking expands—while the broader data-center water diversion debate keeps heating up across the West. Wildfire risk rising: New analysis finds more “fire weather days” across the Mountain West, with Nevada and neighbors seeing especially sharp increases. Local emergency response: Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada staged emergency supplies in Reno to speed disaster relief across Northern Nevada and Northern California.

Smart Meter Backlash: Amarillo residents say new digital water meters and billing software triggered “phantom” usage spikes—one account jumped from 11,000 to 44,000 gallons and bills from $118 to $307—while the city points to drought and leaks. Data Center Pressure: The same week’s Utah hyperscale data center plan is drawing fresh fire for potentially consuming 9 gigawatts—more than double the state’s current usage—raising fears of water and heat impacts near the Great Salt Lake. Nevada Energy & Permits: Reno’s pause on new data center approvals keeps the spotlight on power crunches and local control as AI demand grows. Wildlife Policy: A report says the U.S. issued 300-plus elephant trophy import permits in 2025, renewing debate over protections for endangered savanna elephants. Local Life: West Las Vegas High School won the state softball title again, and Las Vegas hosts major industry events like Licensing Expo as the economy keeps pivoting.

Water Pressure: Amarillo residents say their water bills tripled after “smart” meters and a new billing system, with reported jumps from 11,000 to 44,000 gallons—while the city points to drought and leaks. Desalination Debate: In a fresh letter, a proposal to tap the Columbia River is met with a counter-idea: build coastal desalination to protect lower-Colorado River supplies for Nevada and Arizona. Colorado River Crunch: The West keeps circling the same problem—record-low snowpack, shrinking reservoirs, and a looming federal push for major cutbacks that could reshape water use across states. Data Center Backlash: Across the U.S., moratorium efforts are surging, and Nevada’s own power-and-permit concerns keep resurfacing as AI demand grows. Tech, Not Water: Kioxia unveiled a faster PCIe 5.0 SSD aimed at AI-heavy desktops and workstations, with reads up to 14,000 MB/s. Wildfire Watch: Northern California saw lightning-sparked fires checked quickly thanks to rain, but officials warn drought makes every storm riskier.

Water-Use Backlash: Amarillo residents say new digital smart meters and billing software drove water bills up 300% overnight, with reported “phantom” spikes from about 11,000 to 44,000 gallons—while the city points to drought and leaks and declined to comment on individual accounts. Energy + Water Pressure: The fight over how utilities track and charge for scarce water is landing as data centers expand—one Utah proposal alone is cited at 9 gigawatts, raising fears of more diversion. Geothermal Goes Mainstream: Fervo Energy’s IPO puts next-gen geothermal on the map, with the startup raising $1.89B and planning more plants across the U.S. West. Wildfire Funding Friction: New USDA terms are reportedly hampering federal wildfire support, adding red tape just as lightning fires keep breaking out across drought-stressed regions. Local Angle: Nevada’s ongoing data-center power crunch and Colorado River strain remain the backdrop for every new “resource” fight.

Colorado River Crunch: The Trump administration is drafting a 10-year Colorado River plan that could force California, Arizona, and Nevada to cut withdrawals by as much as 40%—a move that threatens farming, hydropower, and city water supplies as Lake Mead and Lake Powell keep sinking. Wildfire Watch: In Northern California, lightning sparked fresh fires, pulling firefighters into El Dorado and Mendocino County even as small rain helped stop at least one blaze under 7 acres. Tahoe Power Strain: Lake Tahoe residents are facing a looming electricity cutoff tied to utilities shifting capacity to Nevada data centers, while researchers warn environmental reviews for new data centers often miss key water impacts. Wildlife Crossings: Southern California is pushing ahead with multiple wildlife crossings, including a major 101 Freeway project, to help mountain lions and other animals avoid deadly traffic. Nevada Energy & Water: The week’s biggest theme is clear: drought and grid limits are colliding with AI and data-center growth—fast.

Data Center Power Squeeze: Lake Tahoe residents are facing a looming electricity cutoff as NV Energy won’t renew its supply to Liberty Utilities after May 2027, leaving about 49,000 customers scrambling for new power while data centers keep driving demand. Water-Use Transparency: A new Bay Area report warns that environmental reviews for AI data centers miss key water impacts, urging stronger state rules as projects spread into drought-stressed regions. Smart Meter Backlash: In Amarillo, Texas, residents report water bills jumping 300% after smart meters and a new billing system—fueling fears that digital tracking could worsen utility strain. Colorado River Pressure: The Trump administration is reportedly drafting a 10-year plan that could require steep cutbacks for Western states, with Arizona and others warning mandatory reductions could be severe. Local Nevada Education: Clark County School District approved a five-year plan targeting math/reading gains, safer schools, and readiness beyond diplomas through 2031.

Tahoe Power Crunch: NV Energy says it won’t keep supplying Liberty Utilities after next year, leaving about 49,000 Tahoe-area customers scrambling for a new power source as data-center demand tightens the grid. Local Governance: Reno has already hit pause on new data center approvals, and Tahoe residents are now pushing for answers on where the next megawatts will come from. Water + Energy Pressure: The broader fight over Colorado River cuts is heating up, with Arizona floating deeper Lower Basin reductions that would ripple into Nevada and California. Policy Backlash: In a separate federal move, the Interior Department is directing parks to loosen hunting and fishing limits—drawing conservation groups’ ire. Food Safety: Washoe County health inspectors cited multiple Reno restaurants for issues like improper thawing and expired items. Business + Growth: Rio2 reported Q1 progress at Chile’s Fenix Gold and early ramp-up at Peru’s Condestable copper mine.

Data Center Pressure in Nevada: Reno just became the first Nevada city to pause new data center applications, voting 6-1 for a moratorium that freezes conditional use permits until a June 1 follow-up—after hours of packed public comment from residents and environmental advocates warning of a “free-for-all” amid power and water strain. Colorado River Talks: Meanwhile, a new push to stabilize the Colorado River is taking shape—Arizona, California, and Nevada are weighing near-term reductions, but experts say short-term fixes won’t be enough without real Upper Basin–Lower Basin cooperation. Local Education Focus: Clark County School District unveiled its $6 million, five-year “Destination District” plan, built from input from 50,000 community members, aiming to improve learning, student well-being, and trust. Nevada Jobs & Clean Energy: Nevada approved $19.8M in tax abatements for nine companies tied to $186.9M in capital investment and 534 projected jobs, including Edgewood Renewables’ biofuel plans in North Las Vegas.

Data Center Pressure Hits Nevada’s Neighbors: Reno City Council approved a pending 30-day moratorium on new data centers, with a final vote set for June 1, while officials also push a faster regulatory track—an echo of the broader fight over power and water as AI demand grows. Colorado River Crunch: The federal government is now steering toward a 10-year water-sharing plan with cutbacks reassessed every two years, modeling worst-case cuts that could slash Lower Basin supplies by 40% for Arizona, California, and Nevada. Lake Tahoe Power Tension: Tahoe communities face a looming power-supply shift as NV Energy’s deal ends next year, raising fears of higher bills and a scramble for new electricity sources. Public Safety & Community: Carson City’s VIPS Traffic Safety program is using LIDAR to slow school-zone traffic via warning letters, and Storrie Lake State Park hosts a Water Safety Fair with free life jackets and goggles. Health & Environment: New research links higher PM2.5 pollution before surgery to higher post-surgical infection and complication rates.

Water & Power Pressure: Amarillo residents say new digital smart meters and billing changes triggered sudden 300% water bill spikes, while the broader West keeps worrying about how drought and data-center growth could divert scarce water. Education Focus: Clark County School District trustees are set to review a five-year plan aimed at boosting reading and math, raising college/career readiness, and keeping students feeling safe—plus targets for parent communication and teacher retention. Wildlife Management: Tahoe Interagency Bear Team members are testing fresh tactics to cut human-bear conflicts after a workshop funded by the Tahoe Fund, including ideas like a “city liaison” role and better bear-resistant trash outreach. Tech for Industry: NevadaNano’s MethaneTrack is being highlighted for real-time methane leak detection, winning a Best of Sensors award. Local Governance: Truckee Council approved updates to its legislative and financial policy framework and reviewed long-range workplan updates. Health & Innovation: Nevada-based Zhittya Genesis Medicine drew attention after Brett Favre publicly discussed intranasal FGF-1 treatment for Parkinson’s.

Data Center Water Pressure: Lake Tahoe’s power crunch is getting real—NV Energy says it won’t supply electricity to California’s Liberty Utilities customers by May 2027 as data centers surge on the Nevada side, leaving tens of thousands watching their bills and business plans. Public Safety & Wildlife: California wildlife officials say mountain lions spotted near Susanville aren’t a public safety threat, urging residents to cut attractants and supervise pets and kids. School Security: Elko police say an anonymous threat triggered a lockdown at Adobe Middle School, with officers clearing the site and lifting the alert by mid-afternoon. Energy Storage Pushback: A proposed Feura Bush BESS project is still facing local resistance, with critics focused on fire risk and water needs for emergency response. Health Watch: Valley fever—worsened by weather and dust—may be deadly for up to 1,000 people a year, with older residents at highest risk. Local Hiring: Henderson PD is shifting recruiting to fill vacancies as its academy ramps up stress-tested training.