Fueling the future: What's next?

Pump prices pinch. And with Memorial Day travel just around the bend, the sky-rocketing cost of gasoline is a hot topic. With it comes discussion revolving around alternative fuels, especially ethanol and diesel, or biodiesel. Of course, hydrogen and electricity are on the forefront of future fuels too.

Seventy-three percent of travelers are doing so on the open road--in automobiles--according to the Travel Industry Association of America. To combat the battle at the pumps, Green Globetrotter will be featuring a special series on roadtrip-ready hybrids, beginning this week. Keep checking back... first up for review is the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Also on the calendar: a PBS Nightly Business Report special on alternative fuels, airing Tuesday, May 13 through Friday, May 16.

Tuesday's show will highlight grain and corn used to create ethanol, while Wednesday will focus on sugar cane's role in the fuel. Thursday's show puts the spotlight on turning scrap paper, pulp and woodchips into ethanol; and lastly, Friday will showcase Methane hydrate—a frozen gas who's impact on vehicles, and the world, is still under testing.

You can find details on the show here: http://www.pbs.org/nbr/.