Screening and Discussion of 'Beyond the Light Switch'

"Beyond the Light Switch" takes viewers on an enlightening and comprehensive journey into the inner workings of the electrical power infrastructure, from a first-of-its-kind coal plant in West Virginia to natural gas wells in Pennsylvania, from the inside of a nuclear reactor under construction in Tennessee to wind farms in Oregon. The documentary, which was directed and co-written by Ed Moore, won a 2011 Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award, the highest honor in broadcast journalism. The two-hour show, of which an abbreviated version will be screened, illustrates how a new paradigm is rapidly evolving for electric power generation.

What is this new paradigm? By 2050, the United States must replace most of its electric power generation fleet, cut carbon dioxide emissions by 80% and completely update its power grid. All of this must happen while demand for electricity is expected to rise 30%.

Many difficult decisions will need to be made soon. The documentary explores the possible paths forward, including coal, natural gas, renewables, solar and a super grid, to determine what achieves the goals, creates jobs and gains a measure of energy security. Woven throughout each episode of "Beyond the Light Switch" is a provocative story structure focused on:

• Leveraging innovative electricity generation and distribution technologies into a new economic driver for the United States;

• Weaning the country from a disproportionate reliance on foreign sources of fuel and electricity;

• Knowing that future electricity generation on a global scale must take climate change into consideration as new technologies and policies are developed and implemented.

By drawing together the most knowledgeable sources and asking tough questions, the show provides a much needed balanced perspective to the critical issues surrounding the future of energy in the United States. "Beyond the Light Switch" was produced by WTVS Detroit Public Television, in conjunction with Scientific American.

Panel: Ed Moore, Detroit Public Television; David Biello, Scientific American; Sally Benson, Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University