April 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks. Includes articles on wind energy, AI infrastructure stocks, and top 20 ESG ETFs.

Transcript & Links, Episode 166, April 24, 2026

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 166, published on April 24, 2026, titled “April 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks.”

This podcast is presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your go-to site for vital global, ethical, and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript and links to content, including stock symbols and bonus material, on this episode’s podcast page at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, and I don’t receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal any investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

I have a great crop of 10 articles for you in this podcast! Note: Some companies are covered more than once. Now with so many articles to potentially cover, I’ve chosen 3 to quote from. Titles and links to the other 7 can be found on the webpage for this podcast edition.

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1) Top Wind Energy Stocks to Buy For Long-Term Portfolio Gain on finance.yahoo.com

My first article concerns a sector important to sustainable investing: wind energy. President Trump’s antagonism towards wind energy is causing some investors to be concerned about the sector. However, many energy analysts believe that wind energy does have a great future. Hence, I’m beginning this podcast with a recent article titled Top Wind Energy Stocks to Buy For Long-Term Portfolio Gain on finance.yahoo.com. It’s by Zacks Equity Research. Here are some quotes from the article.

“1. Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK)

Based in Charlotte, NC, is a premier utility service provider offering efficient power and energy services. The Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company is currently focused on expanding its scale of operations, implementing modern technologies at its facilities as well as enhancing its renewable generation portfolio by investing heavily in infrastructure and expansion projects…

Such solid renewable capacity maximization plans should enable the company to further bolster its footprint in the expanding renewable energy market.

2. Constellation Energy (CEG)

Headquartered in Baltimore, MD, is a well-recognized provider of electric power, natural gas and energy management services to 2 million customers across the continental United States. Constellation Energy operates 27 wind projects across 10 states that are capable of producing about 1,400 MW of electricity, of which about 750 MW are Constellation-owned.

This Zacks Rank #2 company is launching a $350 million initiative to increase the output and lifespan of its portfolio of renewable energy sources.

3. Consolidated Edison (ED)

Based in New York, it is a diversified utility holding company with subsidiaries engaged in both regulated and unregulated businesses. The company is involved in the regulated electric, gas and steam delivery businesses across the US.

The Zacks Rank #2 company is currently building the Brooklyn Clean Energy Hub, a transmission substation that will strengthen New York’s power grid and provide the flexibility for offshore wind resources to interconnect to it during construction and after commencing operation.

4. DTE Energy (DTE )

Detroit, MI-based, is a diversified energy company that develops and manages energy-related businesses and services. The Zacks Rank #2 company has been investing steadily to enhance its renewable generation assets. DTE aims to invest more than $10 billion in the clean energy transition over the next 10 years…

The 50-plus wind and solar parks, under this program, already generate enough clean energy to power more than 835,000 homes.”

End quotes.

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2) 6 Best Energy Stocks for the AI Power Grid Buildout from money.usnews.com

This second article is also about energy stocks, but from an AI perspective. It’s titled 6 Best Energy Stocks for the AI Power Grid Buildout from money.usnews.com. It’s by Matt Whittaker and reviewed by Rachel McVearry. Here’s some of what they have to say. Note that 2 of these stocks focus on natural gas and thus will not interest some of you.

“The computing power required for artificial intelligence is much higher than for conventional computing. For example, a ChatGPT search takes about 10 times more electricity than a traditional Google search, according to Kanoppi, a tech company that provides carbon footprint insights for websites.

‘The compute and networking infrastructure being built to run current and future AI systems are increasing in both scale and power density,’ says John Campbell, senior portfolio manager with Allspring Global Investments…

AI data centers also need power to keep the rows upon rows of computers cool enough to keep working…

Here’s a look at six energy stocks that could power up a portfolio amid the artificial intelligence data center buildout:

1. Powell Industries Inc. (POWL)

Campbell points to this energy sector electrical equipment manufacturer as a momentum play…

The company has a $1.4 billion backlog of business, with commercial and industrial growth driven by data centers, he notes. He also points to expanding gross margins, improving product mix, good execution and a strong balance sheet with effectively no outstanding debt and about $475 million in cash.

Investing in Powell is not without risk, however, as shares are trading at roughly 31 times consensus forward earnings, which Campbell calls an ‘extended valuation.’

2. Array Technologies Inc. (ARRY)

This company makes ground-mounted, motorized systems that help solar arrays follow the sun to maximize electricity production. It also may be a bargain, with its shares down around 27% this year and Campbell calling it an ‘out-of-favor opportunity.’

The company grew its revenue 40% in 2025 as order bookings hit a record and volume grew significantly, but its shares sold off because of a disappointing outlook for 2026, Campbell says.

‘The increased demand for its product set is fueled by increasing grid energy demand, coupled with the AI infrastructure buildout,’ he says.

After the sell-off, the company’s shares are trading around 10 times consensus estimates for forward earnings, representing a significant discount to its nearest competitor, Nextpower Inc. (NXT), according to Campbell.

3. National Fuel Gas Co. (NFG)

Turning to the extraction side of the AI energy equation, Campbell likes this natural gas producer operating in the productive Appalachian Basin that also gathers, transports, distributes and markets the fuel…

‘National Fuel Gas Co. is actively positioning itself as a preferred partner for the massive power demand generated by AI and data centers,’ Campbell says…

Risks for National Fuel Gas Co. include relatively high debt and the capital-intensive nature of the regulated businesses.

4. NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE)

In December, this utility company announced an expansion of its partnership with Google, saying the companies would collaborate to develop new gigawatt-scale data center campuses across the U.S.

NextEra’s energy generation capacity mix spans what will be needed for the AI data center buildout. More than half of this capacity is from renewable sources, followed by natural gas and then nuclear.

The company plans to add up to 30 gigawatts of generation capacity by 2035 to help power data centers and artificial intelligence… That includes another deal with Google to restart a nuclear plant in Iowa.

5. Archrock Inc. (AROC)

Murillo also points to this natural gas compression services and equipment company that serves the U.S. oil and natural gas industry. Compressing natural gas helps it move from wells through pipelines to processing and storage facilities…

6. Energy Vault Holdings Inc. (NRGV)

One drawback to renewables such as solar and wind for artificial intelligence data center power is their intermittency. They don’t produce electricity when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

To help smooth this out, companies are deploying batteries to store energy and release it when renewable assets aren’t actively generating electricity.

Energy Vault develops, deploys and operates utility-scale energy storage solutions including battery, gravity and green hydrogen technologies.

Last month, the company announced a deal with battery manufacturer Peak Energy to launch energy storage architecture with lower cooling requirements and improved ability to handle high-volatility power demands created by AI training and inference workloads.”

End quotes

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3) The Top 3 Nuclear Energy Stocks to Buy Right Now from finance.yahoo.com

Increasingly, sustainable investors believe that nuclear energy stocks are permissible in their portfolio. So I’m including in today’s podcast this article titled The Top 3 Nuclear Energy Stocks to Buy Right Now from finance.yahoo.com. It’s by John Bromels at fool.com. Now, a few quotes.

“With the war in Iran pushing oil and gas prices higher, and the AI revolution contributing to higher electricity prices, alternative energy sources are looking pretty attractive right now.

Perhaps none are looking as attractive as nuclear power, which has the advantage of not requiring constant refueling from unpredictable suppliers and the ability to be built anywhere…

Here are the top three nuclear stocks to buy right now for investors who want to ride this exciting energy trend.

1. Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) 

Early-stage nuclear start-up Oklo has already scored some big wins in its quest to make small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) a reality.

The company began construction on its first nuclear facility on the grounds of the Idaho National Laboratory in 2025 as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DoE) Reactor Pilot Program. When completed, the reactor facility — dubbed the ‘Aurora Powerhouse’ — is expected to generate 75 megawatts of clean power…

Oklo is still in its pre-commercial stage, and there is still a lot that could potentially derail its ultimate commercial success, including regulatory setbacks and operational challenges. It’s an inherently risky and speculative stock, and only the very risk-tolerant should even consider investing in Oklo at this stage, and even they should only invest money they can afford to lose. That said, for growth-focused nuclear investors, Oklo is a top buy right now.

2. NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR)

Regardless of whether nuclear power someday supplants oil and gas as a power source, the world may still be reliant on oil and gas for crucial petrochemicals. However, nuclear start-up NuScale Power— which, like Oklo, focuses on SMRs — just signed an agreement that could help petrochemical plants become more energy-efficient.

NuScale is partnering with Ebara Elliott Energy, a manufacturer of industrial turbomachinery, to field test a commercial-scale, high-temperature steam compressor powered by NuScale’s SMRs. If successful, these compressors could use SMRs to provide process heat for petrochemical plants. While standard light water reactors were previously believed to be unable to reliably produce process steam for industrial applications at a temperature of 500 degrees Celsius or higher, NuScale believes its SMRs are up to the task.

If successful, this test could open up a massive new market opportunity for NuScale’s SMRs…

Like Oklo, NuScale is an early-stage start-up that carries a number of risks for its shareholders.

3. Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK)

If you’re not a risk-tolerant investor, or you aren’t looking for a pure-play nuclear company, but instead just want to make sure your balanced portfolio includes some nuclear energy stocks, you might consider utility Duke Energy is the second-largest U.S. utility stock, with a $100 billion market cap, and it also has the second-largest nuclear generation portfolio of any U.S. utility company…

Duke pays a solid dividend that currently yields 3.3%, which the company has raised every year since 2010.”

End quotes.

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More articles from around the world with Sustainable Investment Picks for April 2026

1. Title: NextEra and Brookfield Lead the Green Energy Movement from intellectia.AI. By Emily J. Thompson.

2. Title: The Energy Transition Isn’t Dead. Here Are 2 Green Stocks Worth Buying This Month from fool.com. By James Hires.

3. Title: The Best Sustainable Stocks for Passive Income in 2026 from ca.finance.yahoo.com. By Sneha Nahata.

4. Title: Why Mastercard (MA) is one of the best ethical companies to invest in now according to Reddit from msn.com. By Noor Ul Ain Rehman.

5. Title: This Under-the-Radar AI Infrastructure Stock Looks Primed to Skyrocket from fool.com. By Keithen Drury.

6. Title: The Top US GreenTech Companies of 2026 from time.com. Introduction by TIME Staff. (There are some public companies on the list.)

7. Title: TOP 20 ESG ETFs In 2026 from esgnews.com. By ESG News Editorial Team.

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Ending Comment

These are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips for this podcast, “April 2026 Sustainable Stock and ETF Picks.”

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My next podcast will be on May 29^th.

See you then. Bye for now.

© 2025 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul