Brandon Oyer, director of energy and water for Amazon Web Services (AWS), discusses how Amazon invests in carbon-free energy, strengthens grids, and ensures communities benefit from data center growth.

Oyer leads energy and water strategy for AWS, but his path to that role was unconventional. He spent years serving on nuclear submarines in the U.S. Navy, where he was responsible for generating power and life support systems underwater. After the Navy, he moved into the private energy sector, where one of his first projects saved nearly 100 million gallons of drinking water annually.

“That seems to have set the stage for what my focus has been since: finding practical ways to use energy and water more efficiently,” Oyer said. ​“And that’s the mindset I bring to work every day when it comes to Amazon’s data centers.”

Tessie Petion leads ESG Engagement at Amazon and sat down with Oyer to discuss how Amazon is investing in carbon-free energy and strengthening the communities where we operate.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. You can read the full interview here.