Today, in the first decade of the 21st century, the United States is facing an energy crossroads. In the next 40 years, by the year 2050 more or less, we will have to rebuild all of our power plants, reduce greenhouse gases by 50%, and completely transform our power grid--all while meeting a 30% increase in demand for electric power. How will we do that? Episode 1 discusses our current energy mix and their associated benefits and challenges: coal (carbon capture and sequestration), natural gas (hydraulic fracturing), and the renaissance of nuclear power.