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Chapter J, Railbelt Fossil Fuel and Geothermal Energy Sources for Local Use in Alaska types and age are very similar to the more extensive exposures in the Beluga–Chuitna areas (see below), suggesting much of the covered Susitna lowland could be underlain by coal- bearing strata. Due to extensive cover and limited subsurface data, the Susitna lowland remains the least well understood region in the entire Cook Inlet coal provinces. Substantial subsurface exploration would be required to determine the volume and extent of potential coal resources. Beluga Field. The Beluga field is perhaps the most studied field in the Cook Inlet coal province, and is the largest in terms of identified resources. It is located approximately 45 miles west of Anchorage on the western margin of the Cook Inlet and is divided into four main districts: the Capps district , the Chuitna district, the Threemile district, and Drill Creek and North Extension district (fig. J3; Merritt and Hawley, 1986). Although the Beluga field is not connected to commercial rail or highway infrastructure, it lies within 6 to 25 miles of port sites on Cook Inlet. The Beluga area has undergone considerable geologic and coal resource investigation since the mid- 1950s including regional gravity surveys, stratigraphic studies, and reconnaissance geologic mapping to constrain sedimentary basin geometry, stratigraphic architecture, and rock distribution (e.g. Grantz and others, 1963; Barnes, 1966; Adkison and others, 1975; Hackett, 1976, Flores and others, 1994; Flores and others, 1997). More focused studies include delineation of the resource and geotechnical characterization through publicly- and privately-funded exploratory drilling projects (e.g. Warfield, 1959; Chleborad and others, 1980, 1982; Odem, 1986; and Odem and others, 1986), and baseline studies of stream water and soil quality (e.g. Scully and others, 1980; Gough and Severson, 1983; Maurer, 1984, 1986 and 1987). Coal in the Capps, Chuitna, and Drill Creek and North Extension districts are part of the late Oligocene to late Miocene age Tyonek Formation, whereas coal in the Threemile district are from the younger, Miocene age Beluga Formation. Coal in the Beluga field is generally of subbituminous grade with reported heating values ranging from about 7,500 to 8,500 Btu/lb. The measured ash content of these coals are moderately high and may require crushing and washing to increase its heating value (Merritt and Hawley, 1986; PacRim Coal, 2005).). The sulfur content is low; which reduces the risk of producing acid rain and acid mine drainage compared with many coal sources in the contiguous 48 states (Merritt and others 1986). The Capps deposit south of Capps Glacier contains approximately 11 to 13 square km of mineable coal in two major beds. Dobey and McGee (1976) estimated that the Capps district contains nearly 550 million tons of identified mineable coal, although more conservative estimates from the Beluga Coal Company put the mineable reserves at approximately 200 million tons (Merritt, 1990). Merritt (1990) assigns high coal potential to the entire area south of Capps Glacier northeastward to Coal Creek, and including Drill Creek. The Chuitna district northeast of the Chuitna River is currently leased to PacRim Coal, who reports measured reserves of 809 million tons and additional indicated reserves of 254 million tons (PacRim Coal 2005). The proposed mine is in the advanced stages of the permitting process for both coal extraction and infrastructure development; if permitted, most of the coal extracted from the Chuitna district will likely be bound for foreign markets, although local in-state use would remain an option if a viable market were developed. The Drill Creek and North Extension district is located east of Beluga Lake and west of Beluga Mountain. The total reserves for this district are uncertain although Dobey and McGee (1976) speculate that the region may contain more than one billion tons of coal. At Drill Creek, field observations (Barnes, 1966) and exploratory drilling (Warfield, 1959) identified coal beds greater than 10 feet thick totaling an estimated 64 million tons of coal. Coal reserves have not been estimated along the other major drainages, but are likely of minor significance because only 1 to 4 beds (each no greater than 4 feet thick) have been observed and the surrounding bedrock limits the lateral extent of the seams. The Threemile Creek district located along the Beluga River near the Cook Inlet coast is estimated to contain 150 million tons of coal (McGee, 1973). The Beluga Coal Company estimates 69 million tons of this coal is in beds approximately 10 feet-thick at a stripping ratio of 9:1 (Merritt, 1990). The outlying areas of the Beluga field are less well understood than the defined districts. Dobey and McGee (1976) speculated that a 25 square-mile region between the Chuitna and Chakachatna rivers may contain 25 million tons of hypothetical coal. Part of this same region was deemed to have high coal potential by Merritt (1990). However, because of widespread glacial deposits that cover most of the underlying coal-bearing strata, additional exploratory drilling will be required to further delineate the presence and abundance of mineable coal resources in the outlying areas of the Beluga field. Kenai Field. The Kenai field occupies nearly the entire lowland region of the Kenai Peninsula on the east side of upper Cook Inlet, including a small area near Seldovia (fig. J2 and sheet 2). The field encompasses, or lies within close proximity to, existing commercial highway and rail infrastructure and tidewater ports (Homer and Seward). The area is divided into three coal districts: Kenai onshore, Kenai offshore, and Port Graham (Merritt and Hawley, 1986). Coal from the Kenai onshore district occurs within the Middle Miocene to Early Pliocene age Beluga and Sterling formations. The coal beds are primarily visible in discontinuous coastal bluffs along the Kenai Lowland, from north of Clam Gulch on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula, to the Fox River, north of Kachemak Bay. Many coal seams are encountered in petroleum wells, indicating Railbelt Page 100PDF Image | FOSSIL FUEL AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SOURCES FOR LOCAL USE
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