A new series about sustainable energy innovations, e² energy, releases on PBS stations October 19. And the second season of e² design releases on November 30. The e² energy series begins in the farmlands of southwest Minnesota, where an increasing number of farmers are looking to wind power as both a means of sustainable energy production and an economic lifeline for small-town America.

Gobal in scope and comprised of six 30-minute chapters filmed in HD, e² energy features the engineers, policymakers and innovations that are transforming energy availability and consumption. Each episode covers viable policy and technology alternatives to the fossil fuel culture.

Episodes explore: California as a world leader in emissions control; transportation and the need for greater efficiencies; ethanol in Brazil and its future in the United States; distributed solar energy as a means to poverty alleviation in Bangladesh; community wind in Minnesota and its role in regional economic development; and the role of coal and nuclear power in our future energy mix. Solutions-oriented, the series illustrates the trials and trade-offs that any evolution in our global energy system will demand. e² energy is narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Harvesting the Wind: Wind is the fastest growing energy source in the world, yet it has struggled for acceptance in the United States. In southwest Minnesota, however, wind energy is a burgeoning source of local power and income for farmers. Some have joined forces in wind cooperatives to investing in larger farms and reap bigger profits. In the absence of a strong renewable energy policy at the  federal level, the state government plays a key role in wind policy, begging the question: Will the rest of the U.S. follow Minnesota’s and the other States which lead in Wind?

About PBS - PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches nearly 73 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of digital learning content for pre-K-12 educators, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS’ premier kids’ TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online, continue to be parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

MIDC and Norwin America LLC applaud PBS and encourage you to support PBS and your local PBS member stations. By contributing at the local level, you support your station's ability to purchase the programs you enjoy, as well as to produce local programming and to serve as a vital educational and cultural resource within your community. Many stations offer their members a program guide, highlighting the air dates and times of shows you won't want to miss. For more information, please visit the Become A Member area or visit your member station Web site via www.pbs.org.