Peat as a source of energy. Hearing before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives, Ninety-Fifth Congress, First Session, September 29, 1977

Book · Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:6522485

The hearing was an informative meeting on peat as an energy source. The known U.S. peat deposits of 120 billion tons contain roughly 1,440 quads of energy. So, peat is a sizable energy resource. Peat in peat bogs accumulates at the rate of between one-tenth and one inch per year; but one cultivation is started under most methods of cultivation, it doesn't increase, so it should be classified as essentially a nonrenewable resource. The caloric value is 6,500 to 9,000 Btu/lb on an oven-dried basis. Peat is found throughout the world, with the largest reserves located in the Soviet Union, the U.S. being second, then Finland and Canada. Peat deposits occur in 42 states. The largest percentage of our reserves--over 50 percent--are located in Alaska. Minnesota is second containing 14 percent. Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and North Carolina follow 9, 6, 5, 3, and 2 percent, respectively. Other states have relatively small quantities of peat. With the exception of Alaska, peat is most abundant in states without other significant solid fossil-energy resources. This is an important factor from the point of view of regional energy requirements. Peat has a variety of uses. As of 1975, the capacity of peat-fired electric generation plants in the Soviet Union was about 3,500 megawatt; expansion is being planned in the Soviet Union to about 6,300 megawatt. There is about 400 megawatt of peat-generated electricity in Ireland. Finland and Sweden utilize it. Finland is considering using peat as a coking material. Current commercial uses of peat in the United States are soil improvement; seed inoculant; packing flowers, shrubs, etc.; potting soils; mushroom beds; earthworm culture; mixed fertilizers; wastewater treatment; and oil spill cleanup. Many witnesses presented statements. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 6522485
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
292000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
294000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Fossil Fuels
AGRICULTURE
ALASKA
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GREAT LAKES REGION
HEARINGS
MINNESOTA
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
PEAT
RESERVES
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
USA
USES