Sustainability Unveiled: E+E Leader Weekly Roundup - 4/11/2025

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We catch up on two weeks of sustainability headlines, covering everything from military solar partnerships to fashion waste crisis and nuclear fusion breakthroughs. Top sustainability leaders are recognized while critical environmental challenges around battery disposal and water scarcity receive renewed attention.

• US Department of Defense partners with Duke Energy on solar installations to enhance military energy resilience and cut emissions
• Nation's largest gas-fueled AI data center campus breaks ground in Pittsburgh, sparking conversations about balancing tech growth with sustainability
• Waste facility fire linked to improper battery disposal raises concerns about safe handling of lithium-ion batteries
• Fashion industry facing waste crisis with 85% of clothing discarded annually, mostly incinerated or sent to landfills
• Nuclear fusion developments signal potentially closer commercial viability for this clean energy "holy grail"
• Water scarcity threatening global lithium supply for EV batteries, highlighting sustainability challenges in clean tech
• Hempitecture expanding operations with sustainable, fire-resistant hemp-based insulation to support California wildfire recovery
• 68 companies recognized in this year's Environment and Energy Leader Product and Project Awards

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Sustainability Unveiled Weekly
Roundup brought to you byEnvironment and Energy Leader.
This week we're catching up ontwo weeks of top sustainability
headlines, from clean energypartnerships and data center
growth to fashion waste, nuclearfusion and the environmental
risks tied to battery disposal.
Let's get into it.

(00:20):
The US Department of Defense isramping up its clean energy
goals through a strategic solarpartnership with Duke Energy.
These new installations willsupport military energy
resilience, cut emissions andfurther national security
objectives.
It's a bold move that alignsdefense priorities with
long-term decarbonization.

(00:41):
In Pittsburgh, the largestgas-fueled AI data center campus
in the country has brokenground.
It'll power high-performancecomputing, but it's also
sparking a conversation abouthow to balance tech growth with
energy efficiency andsustainability.
A waste facility fire tied toimproper battery disposal, is
renewing concerns about the safehandling of lithium-ion

(01:03):
batteries.
With battery use on the rise,this incident is a wake-up call
for better recycling systems andpublic awareness around
hazardous materials.
The fashion industry is facinga crisis.
An estimated 85% of clothing isdiscarded annually, most of it
incinerated or sent to landfills.
Fast fashion, synthetic fabricsand overproduction are to blame

(01:26):
.
But progress is underway.
Circular fashion models,secondhand markets and global
policy action are beginning toturn the tide.
In Delaware, tidewater Utilitieshas expanded its water service
operations with the acquisitionof the Ocean View system.
It's a key step to ensurereliable, efficient water
service for the region's growingpopulation.

(01:47):
Let's talk nuclear fusion.
Long seen as the holy grail ofclean energy, new developments
are signaling that fusion powermay be closer than we think,
with major implications forbaseload electricity and global
emissions reductions.
In Dutchess County, new York, amajor infrastructure project
has cleared its environmentalreview.

(02:08):
Officials found no significantimpact, paving the way for smart
, sustainable development withcommunity benefits.
Congratulations to the 68winners of this year's E and
E-Leader Product and ProjectAwards.
From energy efficiency to ESGinnovation, these companies are
showing what it means to lead insustainability.

(02:28):
Explore the full list atenvironmentenergyleadercom.
A new report warns that waterscarcity is threatening global
lithium supply, a criticalmineral for EV batteries.
It's a reminder that even cleantech requires sustainable
resource management to truly begreen.
Finally, hempitecture isexpanding operations to support

(02:48):
wildfire recovery in California.
Their hemp-based insulation issustainable, fire-resistant and
a smart choice for communitiesrebuilding after disaster.
Stay ahead with SustainabilityUnveiled.
Don't miss the latestsustainability and energy
insights.
Subscribe to Environment andEnergy Leader for breaking news,
expert analysis.

(03:08):
Thank you.