As the crisis in the Gulf deepens, the ongoing search for viable alternative energy sources is more urgent than ever before, but navigating the complex web of options is both complicated and confusing. Discovery Channel and Science Channel are pulling back the curtains to reveal our quest for clean energy. From economics and climate change to national security and global politics, energy is the driving force behind most everything on the planet. Powering The Future puts energy on the national stage, addressing the challenge from every angle and cutting through the noise by establishing a target: identify a clean, limitless, secure energy supply and address how that energy could possibly be delivered. The show travels to more than 30 different locations around the world -- from an offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico to the oil sands of Canada, Washington, DC to Beijing, China -- to meet with the movers and shakers whose work is at the heart of the issue. "We are the energy generation, but we as Americans do not fundamentally understand what energy is, where it comes from, how we use it and how much we need," said Dr. Sanjayan. "Powering The Future aims to help educate viewers and empower them to take action with their personal energy needs. Watch the show and you won't throw a light switch, eat a hamburger, drive a car, fly a plane or look at the New York City skyline the same way again." Powering the Future, a brand-new four-hour special series, is hosted by Dr. M. Sanjayan, lead scientist at The Nature Conservancy, the special closely examines where our energy could come from and how we are striving to create a clean, limitless, secure supply of energy. Powering the Future premieres Saturday, July 17 from 8-10 PM and Sunday, July 18 from 8-10 PM on Discovery Channel with encore presentations on Science Channel Monday, July 19 from 9-11 PM and Tuesday, July 20 from 9-11 PM.