This report from the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) explores the energy potential and policy implications of biomass during the next 20 years and assesses the technology and the economic, environmental, and social impacts of bioenergy development. Biomass-wood and other plant materials-is a renewable source of gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels that has the potential to meet a significant portion of U.S. and world energy demands. This report considers combinations of possible biomass sources as well as bioconversion technologies and applications. Four biomass processes are described in...

Endowed with abundant energy resources, the Soviet Union is the world's largest oil producer and a major exporter of both oil and gas. Energy exports provide over half of Soviet hard-currency receipts, and subsidized energy sales to Eastern Europe are vital tools of Soviet influence in that region. Despite this enviable position, there have been indications in the past few years that the U.S.S.R. may soon face an energy shortage. In addition to examining the significance of U.S. petroleum equipment and technology for Soviet energy development, this book addresses the following questions:...