Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University, 2025
Author(s): Staff
“Lithium Liabilities” reveals the tradeoffs in the push for a battery-powered future. The investigation shows how expanded domestic lithium mining could drain billions of gallons of water from already strained supplies. Debuting on PBS NewsHour, the student-reported piece offers one of the most comprehensive appraisals of America’s investment in lithium.
Excellence in Environmental Reporting is named in honor of Edward W. “Ted” Scripps II. Early in his career, Ted worked as a reporter for United Press and Scripps Howard newspapers in Denver and San Francisco. Ted also served as a vice president and secretary of The E.W. Scripps Company. He was a conservationist with interests in environmental issues and changing technologies in the communications industry.